Copper-bronze Gothic cross pattée with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the upper, central and lower arms inscribed in Gothic script ‘für’, ‘Pflege der Soldaten’ and ‘1914’ (for Care of Soldiers, 1914) respectively, the tips of the arms with Gothic decoration; the reverse with the crowned cipher of Grand Duke Ludwig III centrally, the upper, central and lower arms inscribed in Gothic script ‘Den’, ‘25ten August’ and ‘1870’ respectively, the tips of the arms with Gothic decoration; on a short length of probably replaced correct ribbon for non-military.
The Cross was instituted by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig on 12 August 1914 and followed the design and statutes of the Cross instituted by his grandfather, Grand Duke Ludwig III in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. It was awarded ‘for those, regardless of rank or gender, who render meritorious service in any medical field whatever, particularly distinction in the care and transport of wounded and sick soldiers’ (‘für Personen jeden Standes und Geslechts, welche sich durch verdienstliche Leistungen im Sanitätswese überhaupt, insbesondere aber bei der Pflege und dem Transporte verwundeter und kranker Soldaten ausgezeichnet haben’). From January 1918 onwards the Cross was made in ‘Kriegsmetall’ alloy as a result of wartime shortages. It was suppressed at the end World War I, November 1918.
An unusual design and relatively rare award.
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