Combatants de la Somme Medal at Military Shop for service recognition, remembrance or display. Browse Australian military products. Shop online today. Read more..
The Combatants de la Somme Medal is an unofficial French commemorative award issued by veterans’ associations to recognise those who served in the Battle of the Somme during the First World War. This major campaign, fought from July to November 1916, was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in history, symbolising the endurance and sacrifice of all who fought there.
Presented to veterans who took part in operations in the Somme sector during the designated battle period, or posthumously to their families. As a commemorative award, it was not an official state decoration but carried deep meaning for its recipients.
The bronze medal features an allegorical figure of France holding a large globe, with the Somme River and battlefield landscape in the background. The inscription at the base reads BATAILLE DE LA SOMME – 1916, marking the year of the battle. The reverse typically displays laurel and oak leaves with a dedication to the veterans.
The ribbon is yellow with a wide central blue stripe, symbolising the wheat fields and skies of the Somme region.
SPECIFICATIONS:Every replica medal can be supplied loose or mounted ready to wear. Here's how the options differ, so you can choose the right one.
The medals are fixed to a stiff backing board so they sit flat and stay in line while worn. It's the neatest presentation, and serving members of the Australian Defence Force are required to wear their medals court mounted.
Each medal hangs freely from its ribbon below a top bar. This was the usual style from the Boer War through to World War II, and there are no fixed rules about who can wear it.
Just the ribbons, mounted in order of precedence on a small bar. Ribbon bars are worn on uniform day to day, when full medals would be impractical.
The medal and ribbon come as separate parts, ready for you or your mounter to assemble. Full size medals come with 30cm of ribbon and miniatures with 15cm.
Miniatures are mounted the same way at a smaller scale. They're worn at evening and formal events, generally anything after 6pm such as dinners, where full size medals would be impractical.
Every style comes with a traditional pin or a magnetic fitting. Magnetic mounts hold firmly without putting holes in your jacket or uniform, and are easier to put on and take off, which helps anyone with limited dexterity.
For any queries, please fill out our support form as the primary way to reach us. This ensures your request is properly logged and addressed promptly by the right team. Alternatively, call us at (02) 6123 2950.
Ribbon is sold by the centimetre. Choose the length you need:
