An unofficial French Commemorative Medal issued by Ceux de la Somme Association and available to members who were veterans of the Somme. This particular medal was awarded to Donald McConnell of the NZ Machine Gun Corps and is dated 1st July 1956.
It is inscribed “BATAILLES DE LA SOMME JVILLET-NOVEMBRE MCMXVI” (Battles of the Somme July-November 1916). The medal features two warriors bearing shields, one displaying a cockerel to signify France and the other a lion, representing Britain and the Commonwealth.