|
Bronze Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, crossed swords between the arms, on swivel crown suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the lion rampant of Belgium within a circular beaded border; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the cipher of King Albert I within a circular beaded border; age-toned; on original ribbon with two bronze palm citation bearing the cipher of King Albert I for mentions at Army level and three bronze lion citations for mentions at divisional, brigade or regimental level.
The Cross was instituted on 5 October 1915 to reward ‘military virtue on the field of battle’ and was awarded not only for acts of bravery but in a number of other circumstances, such as the completion of 3 years’ front-line service, to escaped prisoners of war who rejoined their unit and to those whose injuries sustained in combat required them to be invalided out of service.
It was awarded not only to Belgians but also to other nationalities serving alongside them.
An outstanding example.
|
