Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A French Legion of Honour / Medaille Militaire group of three to Marechal-des-Logis Louis Philippe, 11th Artillery Regiment and Saint-Cyr Military Academy

Legion of Honour, Third Republic, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, Medaille Militaire, Second Empire, 2nd type, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, some enamel damage to reverse; Italy Campaign Medal 1859, silver, all unnamed as issued, very fine and better (3) £280-320

Louis Philippe entered French military service with the 11th Artillery Regiment on 20 December 1851. Promoted an Artificier on 10 April 1852 and Brigadier on 27 December 1854, he attained the rank of Marechal-des-Logis (Sergeant) on 12 February 1856. He served in the Italian Campaign from 1 May 1859 to 3 June 1860 for which he received the medal and was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 21 April 1869 for bravery in the same campaign. Marechal-des-Logis Philippe served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, from 28 July 1870 until 28 May 1871 but was taken prisoner of war at Metz on 28 October and spent the rest of the conflict in captivity. Marshal Achille F. Bazaine and his besieged army of 173,000 men surrendered themselves and the city on that date - postwar, the Marshal was court-martialed, convicted and imprisoned for treason for his actions. After the war, on 13 December 1871, Philippe was detached to the Military Academy at Saint-Cyr as Marechal-des-Logis of the Guard Battery, being transferred on a permanent basis in February 1876. For his military services he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the decree of 5 February 1878. Marechal-des-Logis Philippe retired to Fontainebleau on 1 March 1881.

Sold with original bestowal documents for the Legion of Honour, Medaille Militaire and Italy Campaign Medal; also with ‘Ecole Spéciale Militaire’ statement of services which additionally includes personal details including physical description, marriage and family.