Croix de guerre

cadmium · Post by **cadmium** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:08 pm

One of my relatives used to say that their father recieved the Croix de guerre in the war (presumably the Great War, as he was too old to serve in WWII I think).

Is this possible, even though it's a foreign award? Would it still be given to a British soldier? And if so, where might I look next for a record of it?

He lived afterwards, and I think he must have been discharged because apparently the war paralysed him.

Cheers

Mi

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:15 pm

From Wikipedia:

"The Croix de Guerre (sometimes lowercase in French, Croix de guerre, meaning "Cross of War") is a military decoration of both France and Belgium, where it is also known as Oorlogskruis (Dutch). It was first created in 1915 in both countries and consists of a square-cross medal on 2 crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed to foreign military forces allied to France and Belgium."

If you go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:C ... recipients

There's 200 pages of recipients.

Anne

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:52 am

Hello Mi,

My grandmother’s cousin received several decorations after a joy-flight to Friedrichshafen in 1914. His foreign decorations could only be worn with the permission of the King and the following entry subsequently appeared in the London Gazette.

1916 May 19 Whitehall, May 18, 1916. The King has been pleased to give and grant unto the under mentioned Officers His Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear Decorations (as stated against their respective names), which have been conferred upon them by the President of the French Republic in recognition of valuable services rendered by them: - Insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

It might be worth a search for his name there. You should bear in mind however that it was possible for military units or even towns and villages to be awarded the Croix de Guerre and that it was not necessarily on an individual basis. If it was a unit award and you know the unit a Google should bring it up if you can’t find it in the Gazette.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/Advanc ... ype=London

Alan

cadmium · Post by **cadmium** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:51 pm

Thanks for the info - unfortunately I don't know his regiment, but I will try to find out.

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:04 am

Hi Mi,

My great uncle, Brigadier John Brownlie MacFarlane, was a lieutenant colonel in the second world war, in command of 194 Field Ambulance, and also received the Croix de Guerre. The following recommendation for an award was obtained from the National Archives website at Kew, which should list your relative as well - see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/ and on the left hand side click Family History - a window will open with a list of collections, go down to Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army). You can then download the citation as a PDF document for a small fee.

John MacFarlane's citation reads:

Brigade 15(S) Division 8 Corps
Schedule No. - Unit 194 Field Ambulance
Rank and Army or Personal No. 51983 Subs. Major, T/Lieutenant Colonel
Name MACFARLANE, John Brownlie

Lieut. Col. J. B. MacFarlane has given outstanding
service since landing in Normandy in command of 194
Field Ambulance. At the battle of the River Odon , the
advance through France and the crossing of the River
Seine, his coolness and determination under battle
conditions were an example to all ranks under his
command and largely contributed to the successful
evacuation of casualties in the many battles in which
his ambulance took part. His own ADS was under fire
on more than one occasion and his courage and personal
example in visiting his CCP's at all times and often
under fire were inspiring to his men

Honour or reward - Croix de Guerre with palm

Hope this helps!

Chris

Adam Brown · Post by **Adam Brown** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:39 am

Several foreign awards were given to British forces during the Great War. The most common were French but Belgian; Russian and Serbian awards were given as well. Sometimes French decorations were given to men who had won a British Decoration. You may find a DCM winner was also awarded a French Medaille Militaire for the same action.

On other occasions foreign awards were distributed amongst units to be awarded at the discretion of local commanders and the governments awarding them may have had no input on who received them.

Do you have any details of the unit your relative served in? It may be the unit served alongside French units at some point during the war.

In two cases the Croix de Guerre was given to Scottish units as a whole in the Great War. 6th Black Watch in France and 12th Argylls in Salonika.

Regards

Adam