A superb Artillery Officer's group, decorated at 'Verdun' a.k.a. 'The Meat Grinder', for gallantry at ' Fleury-devant-Doaumont': Professor Fernand Renaudeau, Captain, 15th late 27th Artillery Regiments, French Army

- Legion of Honour. Officer's 4th Class breast badge. 'Third Republic' issue (1870)
- Cross of War (Croix de Guerre). 1914-1916. With bronze palm emblem
- Order of the Academic Palms. Officer’s breast badge. Silver & enamel with silk rosette

The Croix de Guerre mounted on it's original silk riband that is fitted with a mounting rod, or 'Boule', exactly as worn by the recipient in the French style

Sold together with:

- Portrait photograph of the recipient in his Artillery officers uniform wearing his CDG, with several 'front line' chevrons on his upper sleeve
- Portrait photograph of the recipient in later life

Fernand Renaudeau was a native of Cholet, France, where he was born on, 14 June 1887. During the Great War, as a 'Reservist' he served from 1914, as a Lieutenant in the Artillery. Latterly holding the rank of Captain. He was actively engaged in most of the major French battles of 1914-1917, including the Marne, Verdun and Chemin des Dames. He was awarded the Croix de Gurre for being cited in Army Orders for his gallantry during the Battle of Verdun - the 'Meat-Grinder' - where in March 1916, he was in command of the 8th Battery in Verdun sector 'Fleury-devant-Doaumont', a village that was lost and recaptured no less than 16 x times during the Battle of Verdun, and earned the title 'The Viallage that Died For France'. In 1917, he was posted overseas to the United States to work closely with the United States Army, doing a series of promotional tours, and giving presentations to the American military and the American public. He also worked closely with the American Forces on the Western Front. His considerable command of the English language marked him out as a gifted translator. After the Great War he became an Associate of Professor of English and through the 1940's-1950's he held numerous high education national and international appointments. He was also a published author and historian of the British Labour Party. Amongst his legacy as an educator, is a school in his home-town of Cholet, the 'Lycee Fernand Renaudeau' that bears his name in his honour. Associate Professor Fernand Renaudeau, died in Cholet , France on, 15 June 1958

The medals are accompanied by some hard copy research in the French language

Condition: Minor scuffs to enamel, otherwise about EF

Code: 23349