{"product_id":"medaille-du-refractaire-french-resistance-medal-1939-1945-gilt-bronze-hollebeck","title":"Médaille du Réfractaire French Resistance Medal 1939-1945 Gilt Bronze Hollebeck","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMédaille du Réfractaire French Resistance Medal 1939-1945 Gilt Bronze Hollebeck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMédaille du Réfractaire\u003c\/strong\u003e is a French commemorative medal instituted on 11 April 1947, awarded to citizens who refused to comply with the Service du Travail Obligatoire (STO) — the wartime forced labour programme that deported French workers to German factories. Many who refused went into hiding in rural areas and forests, later joining the Maquis resistance groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is struck in gilt bronze by the Belgian maker \u003cstrong\u003eHollebeck\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the maker's mark visible on the reverse. The obverse typically features a profile of Marianne wearing a Phrygian cap (symbol of liberty), with the legend \"RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE\". The reverse bears the inscription \"AUX RÉFRACTAIRES — GUERRE 1939-1945\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe medal is suspended from its original ribbon — yellow (representing the straw of hiding places) with two vertical red stripes (representing blood shed). The ribbon is folded in the traditional French pentagonal shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn original period piece, circa post-1945. Please refer to the photographs for full condition assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Voyage Bird","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55565306036364,"sku":"TVBREFRACTAIRE","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0376\/0793\/2044\/files\/57_21f55eed-1e21-4b7f-b03b-26bf2146fd5a.jpg?v=1788360144","url":"https:\/\/www.thevoyagebird.co.uk\/products\/medaille-du-refractaire-french-resistance-medal-1939-1945-gilt-bronze-hollebeck","provider":"TheVoyageBird","version":"1.0","type":"link"}