French General presents flag to British section of French "Ordre National du Mérite" Association (13.10.05)

On 13 October, many British members of the French Ordre du Mérite joined French fellow compagnons in the Asociation’s British Section at a reception hosted by the French Ambassador at the Résidence de France. During the reception, General Koscher, President of the French National Ordre du Mérite Association presented the Association’s flag to the British Section.

The French National Ordre du Mérite Association is made up of Sections, each covering a specific geographical area and having its own president. A Section may apply to have its own individual flag, a French flag on which are embroidered in gold thread, on one side the cross and blue ribbon of the Ordre National du Mérite and, on the other, the words Ordre National du Mérite and the Section’s name. The British Association, created in 1991, currently has 50 members and regularly organizes meetings, dinners and visits of prestigious institutions. 30% of British Section members are women.

General de Gaulle created the Ordre National du Mérite in 1963; it is broadly comparable to the British MBE. When awarded to British nationals, it recognizes their special contribution to France and Franco-British relations.