was awarded the Tonkin Expedition commemorative medal on 26 July 1887 and received a commendation recognising the energy and efficiency he displayed in the campaign. Raffenel was transferred to the 1st Marine Infantry on 22 December 1888 and returned to France on 12 March 1889, serving as regimental adjutant from 19 August 1889 to 8 August 1890. He was appointed a Chevalier of the Order of the Dragon of Annam on 7 February 1890. Raffenel was posted to the 2nd Tonkinese Rifles on 8 August 1890 and promoted to chef de bataillon on 3 October. Returning to Tonkin on 23 October 1890 he fought at Ben-Chan on 29 October 1890 as part of the "Pardes Column". A "Raffenel Column" was formed again between 29 November and 23 December 1890 and saw action at Baïbang on 5 September, Doung-De on 7 December, Yen-Dong on 13 December and at Kher-Khong on 16 December. He served with the Dominé Column and fought at Cai-Tram on 16 June 1891. He received a commendation for his actions during these operations: "as a captain and chef de bataillion he commanded several small columns of Tonkinese troops, demonstrating energy and initiative under very difficult circumstances". He returned to France on 25 March 1892 and joined the 6th Marine Infantry Regiment on 14 April 1892. He transferred to the 1st Marine Infantry on 1 June 1892, serving on detachment in Paris away from the regiment, and to the 5th Marine Infantry on 19 October 1893. Raffenel was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour on 29 December 1892. He married Fernande Marie Gabrielle on 11 April 1893. They lived at Saintes, Charente-Maritime, and had two sons. Return to metropolitan army Raffenel requested a transfer to the metropolitan army, in which he began his career as an enlisted soldier, in 1894 for "personal reasons". This was an unusual occurrence owing to the difficulty of transfer from the Troupes de Marine, under the authority of the naval office, to the army under the war office. He made the request in order to reduce the time he spent abroad on campaign, though whether this was due to family difficulties or health problems is unclear. He received a presidential decree authorising his transfer on 5 November 1894, having arranged to swap places with Chef de Bataillon Lourdel-Henault of the 136th Infantry Regiment. His new lieutenant-colonel was known to have welcomed this