World War I Medallion - Royal Artillery

[chelsen]

Amongst my Grandfather's WW1 medals was the attached medallion.  I contacted the Firepower Museum but they had never seen one like it before although they said "friendship medals" were exchanged between the allies.  It is clearly a Royal Artillery medallion as it has a large gun on one side and a French and British soldier on the other. 
I would be interested to have any suggestions.

[manmack]

chelsen,it looks like your g/father was in a railway gun unit,it could be a piece of trench art,mack

[chelsen]

Thanks for your reply.  My Grandfather was in the Royal Artillery, 505 Howitzers. I assumed that the large gun barrell on one side of the medallion was the connection with the RA.  The inscription on the other side says "Sur la Somme".  I am not sure about the two figures and their uniforms and flags. The individual on the left is wearing a helmet of some sort.

Regards Carole

[harribobs]

The individual on the left is wearing a helmet of some sort.

  he's wearing a french helmet plus the french inscription, it's probably not official just a token of the Anglo-French friendship on the Somme sector (it's often forgotten that the battle of the Somme was fought by the French as well)

[chelsen]

Thank you, Harrihobs.  That is almost exactly what the researcher at the RA Firepower Museum said.

Carole

[harribobs]

 well thats my suggestion as well! 

in the southern sections of the somme, french artillery supported british infantry in their attack  ( very succesfully) so thats another possible reason for it's existance

[chelsen]

You are obviously very knowledgeable about WW1. My husband and I travel to Northern France and Belgium every spring visiting the battlefields and cemeteries, particularly the Somme and Ypres where my Grandfather saw action. Fortunately he and his three brothers (all in the RA or RHA) all survived.  Quite a miracle for 4 brothers to go and all to come back. Granddad went on to live to be 90. I have had difficulty researching the action he actually saw as his war records were some of the "burnt" documents and the copies I took of the microfilm at Kew were very poor. The Firepower Museum were very helpful in deciphering them for me but I need to read up on the WW1 history of the Royal Artillery to fit places to dates.
Regards
Carole

[harribobs]

I have had similiar problems trying to research 'corps' soldiers as well, it's very difficult if not impossible sometimes.  I might suggest the great war forum to you, if you've not tried it before, there are some excellent artillery experts on there

My grandfather was also a survivor, but as an infantryman I have been able to trace his 'war'

Ypres is my favourite place, it seems to hold a fascination for me

good luck in your search

[chelsen]

Thanks, I will check out the website you suggest and hopefully dig up some new information. 
Yes, Ypres is one of our favourite places too. 8pm at the Menin Gate and then a stroll around the ramparts.
Thanks for your good wishes
Regards
Carole