1917 FRENCH WW1 RECONSTRUCTION FUNDRAISING LAPEL BADGE / HOTEL DE VILLE PERONNE

Description

On March 18, 1917, after the Germans had withdrawn to the Hindenburg (or Siegfried) line, the British were finally able to enter Péronne. The city was no more than a huge field of ruin. Like everywhere else, the Germans had destroyed everything that was still standing. On the facade of the town hall, a sign (this sign is preserved today at the Historial) read: "Nicht ärgern nur wundern!" (“Don't be surprised, just admire!” Or “Don't be angry, be amazed!”
Obverse
: the city of Péronne townhall destroyed by germans on which you can see the sign left by germans :
"Nicht ärgern nur wundern!";
above legend : "PERONNE Hôtel de ville détruit par les allemands : mars 1917"
Reverse
: "Le Devoir Social / Reconstitution des foyers détruits par la guerre 1914-1917 / Journées des 21 et 22 mai 1917"
Size
: 46 mm or 1,8 inch.
These WW1 "charity day" fundraising souvenirs (cardboard insignia, thin stamped medals, pin badges, more rarely bronze or silver medals) were sold during the Great War to raise money for a variety of causes : mainly supporting the troops fighting on the various fronts, supporting the war effort, supporting wounded soldiers (or having caught tuberculosis)
, soldier's widows, orphans, thanking allied countries, etc...