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Journee du Poilu (Day of the Trench Soldiers), 1915 by Armand Bargas

The French Goverment were short of supplies and money during WW1 and as a way of fundraising they organized days nationwide that were known as "Journees" and when a contributor made a reasonable donation on one of these days they were rewarded with a medal that they could wear to show he or she had contributed.

This medal was designed by Armand Bargas a popular medalist at the turn of the centuary and it carries the inscription "Journee du Poilu 1915" which translated Literally means "Hairy Days" this was used as a term of endearment for the French infantry of World War I due to the fact most of them had beards and moustaches.

On the obverse the inscription reads "25th-26th Decmbe" this was the dates this particular fundraising event was held on so the medal became known as the Xmas medal.

Measuring 30mm x 34mm these made of bronze, though some of them were plated (this one was plated) in good condition please see the pictures.