- Time Period: The Great War
- Institution: 14 March 1936
- Country: France
The Medal for civilian prisoners, deportees and hostages of the 1914-1918 Great War (or Médaille des prisonniers civils, déportés et otages de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918) is a commemorative medal awarded to French civilians who were interned in camps during World War I after being deported from the German occupied French territories.
The medal was created by law on 14 March 1936, officially recognizing the sacrifices and patriotism of the French civilians that were forced to leave their homes to be detained or serve as hostages. The medal could also be awarded posthumously for civilian prisoners that were killed or that died of wounds product of their internment.
The Medal for civilian prisoners, deportees and hostages of the 1914-1918 Great War Design
The medal measures 32 mm in diameter, is circular and is struck from bronze.
Its obverse shows a relief image of a woman walking slowly, with her head lowered and her right wrist chained. Her left hand drops a torch symbolizing the home she must abandon. The reverse bore the relief inscription “PRISONNIERS” “CIVILS” “DÉPORTÉS” “ET” “OTAGES” “DE LA” “GRANDE GUERRE” over two closed flowers and surrounded by the circular relief image of a chain along the medal’s circumference.
