Médaille du Réfractaire French Resistance Medal 1939-1945 Gilt Bronze Hollebeck

Médaille du Réfractaire French Resistance Medal 1939-1945 Gilt Bronze Hollebeck

The Médaille du Réfractaire 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.

This example is struck in gilt bronze by the Belgian maker Hollebeck, 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".

The 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.

An original period piece, circa post-1945. Please refer to the photographs for full condition assessment.