Scarce WW1 Italian Rectangular Bronze Medallion Awarded to Members of 2nd Honourable Artillery Company – Crossing River Piave - October 1918

Here on offer is a scarce WW1 Italian commemorative rectangular bronze medallion that was presented by the Italian government to all the brave members of the British 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) for the Crossing of the Piave, and the capture of the Grave di Papadopoli in October 1918.

The 2nd Battalion Honourable Artillery Company was Formed at Finsbury on 2 September 1914.
They moved to Belhus Park, going on in November to Blackheath, February 1915 to the Tower of London, August to Richmond Park, November to Wimbledon, January 1916 to Orpington, July to Tadworth (Surrey), and returned to Tower in September 1916.

On the 3rd October 1916: landed at Le Havre and placed under command of 22nd Brigade in 7th Division.

In November 1917 the Battalion moved with the Division to Italy and experienced a taste of mountain warfare.

In the final attack which broke the enemy front and brought about the complete defeat of Austria, the 2nd Honourable Artillery Company took a leading part.

Crossing the swiftly flowing River Piave in small boats, the Battalion captured the Island of Papodopoli, the key of the position, and so secured the crossing of the river for the British and Italian armies, thereby leading to the final defeat of Austria.

On the front the medallion is inscribed 'PIAVE OCTOBER 1918' and depicts the Honourable Artillery Company crest and motto.

On the reverse it shows a detailed image of soldiers in boats crossing the River Piave.

It measures 1.3” (3.3cm) including the ring by 0.6” (1.6cm) and weighs 6.1g.

It comes with a copper suspension ring at the top.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 51424