At the fall of the First Empire, the Veterans of the Napoleonic Armies, found themselves, for the most part, on "half pay", expelled from the Royal Army because they were "unsafe". In order to find themselves amongst the elders, to cultivate the glory of the fallen Emperor and to help each other materially (for many, long gone, had no family other than the Great Army and often found themselves on the street), they gathered in "societies" of brothers-in-arms and alumni of the Grand Army. These "companies" were found in France but also in countries that provided large contingents to the imperial armies (Germany, Poland, Belgium, Italy, ...). These associations had medals and decorations struck to recognise each other and create a strong bond of belonging.