Set of Three Military Documents Relating to a French Soldier of the Second Empire, Campaigns in Africa, Italy and China

A rare set of three named military documents relating to Philippe Bernardin, born on 10 April 1835 in Ineuil, in the department of Cher, France. This collection documents part of his military career under the Second French Empire, from his overseas campaigns to his discharge from service, followed by the later award of the Colonial Medal under the Third Republic.

1. Discharge Certificate – 31 December 1865

Discharge certificate issued on 31 December 1865 by the recruitment and reserve depot of the department of Cher, based in Bourges, in the name of Philippe Bernardin.

The document records his service in several units of the French line infantry:

• Enlisted in the 71st Line Infantry Regiment in 1856.
• Promoted to corporal in 1859.
• Transferred to the 102nd Line Infantry Regiment in 1859.
• Incorporated into the 26th Line Infantry Regiment in 1862.
• Transferred to the Zouaves of the Imperial Guard Regiment in 1863.

It also records his military campaigns:

• African campaign: from 11 October 1856 to 24 April 1859.
• Italian campaign: from 28 April to 26 August 1859. The document states that he received the medal commemorating the Italian campaign.
• China Expedition: from 21 November 1859 to 10 July 1862, with the award of the China Expedition Medal.

The document also provides a detailed physical description of Bernardin: brown hair, brown eyes, high forehead, medium-sized nose and mouth, rounded chin, oval face, and a height of 1.62 m (approximately 5 ft 4 in). His occupation is listed as day labourer.

Condition: Fair. A tear is visible in the upper section of the document, as shown in the photographs. The document bears eagle stamps characteristic of the administrative authorities of the Second French Empire.

2. Diploma of the China Expedition Commemorative Medal – 24 January 1862

Named diploma awarded to Philippe Bernardin, then serving as a fusilier in the 102nd Line Infantry Regiment, certifying his participation in the China Expedition and his entitlement to the corresponding commemorative medal.

The document is dated 24 January 1862 and bears the signatures of the regiment’s officials, including the treasurer, clothing officer, captain, battalion commander and major.

It is also marked with eagle stamps from the Second French Empire, confirming its administrative origin under the reign of Napoleon III.

Condition: Good overall. A tear approximately 5.5 cm long is present along the fold, as shown in the photographs.

3. Colonial Medal Diploma – July 1898

Diploma issued in July 1898, under the French Third Republic, in the name of Philippe Bernardin, identified as a former soldier of the Zouaves of the Imperial Guard Regiment.

The document certifies the award of the Colonial Medal, established by the law of 26 July 1893, with the “Algérie” (Algeria) clasp. It provides further evidence of his military career and the official recognition of his service.

Condition: Good overall.

An attractive historical documentary group for collectors of 19th-century French militaria, the army of the Second French Empire and French colonial campaigns.