Decoration of honor for services to the Red Cross
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The honorary badge for services to the Red Cross was donated on August 17, 1914 by Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Geneva Convention . It was intended to honor people who had made merits in the field of voluntary service of the Red Cross of the monarchy in peace or in war.
Order classes
The order consisted of four classes and an associated medal in two stages.
- star
- Cross of Honor 1st Class
- Officer's mark of honor
- Cross of Honor 2nd class
- Silver Medal of Honor
- Bronze Medal of Honor
The award for war merit could also come with the war decoration. The officer's mark of honor was only awarded with it.
Order decoration
The medal is a red enamelled Rupert cross made of silver with a white border, the lower cross arm of which is extended. In the overlying white enamelled medallion a red enamelled cross can be seen. The medallion is surrounded by a red enamelled ring with the inscription PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI ((Fatherland and Humanity)). On the back of the medallion, the two years can be found one above the other .
1864 1914
The star of the medal for services to the Red Cross has silver bundles of rays in the corners of the cross. The reverse of the award is smooth, as is the officer's cross of honor. In the latter, the year 1864(right) and is 1914engraved on the horizontal cross arms .
If a class was awarded with the war decoration, a thick green enamelled wreath of laurel (left) and oak (right) leaves lay on the cross arms.
The oval medal is made of silver or bronze , depending on the grade . It shows two angels in flowing robes floating on clouds and standing to each other. Between the two is a white enamelled coat of arms with an inlaid red enamelled cross. A shining five-pointed star above the shield. Below the image of the two angels is the three-line inscription PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI ((Fatherland and Humanity)). On the smooth reverse of the medal, the year numbers 1864 1914can be seen.
When awarded with the war decoration, a dense wreath of laurel (left) and oak (right) leaves runs around the medal on both sides.
Carrying method
The star and the officer's mark of honor were decorated as a cross on the left breast. The honor cross 1st class was worn as a neck medal, the honor cross 2nd class and the medal of honor on a triangular ribbon on the left side of the chest. Women carried the cross of honor 1st and 2nd class as well as the medal of honor on a ribbon bow on the left shoulder.
The ribbon is white with two narrow red side stripes.
If a higher class or level was awarded, the previously awarded one had to be discarded.
Known porters
particularities
Due to material donations in favor of the Red Cross of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy , a second class award or the medal of honor could be applied for. For this purpose, a one-time contribution of 1000 kroner or a lifelong annual fee of 50 kroner and a lending fee of 100 kroner had to be paid for the second class . For the silver medal of honor, a one-off fee of 300 kroner, or an annual amount of 10 kroner and a fee of 20 kroner, was due. The bronze medal of honor cost either 100, - crowns or 5, - crowns and 10, - annual fee.
The income generated with this flowed into a fund and benefited the Austrian and Hungarian Red Cross directly.
An award with the war decoration could not be applied for.
literature
- Johann Stolzer, Christian Steeb: Austria's order from the Middle Ages to the present. Academic printing and Publishing house Graz 1996, ISBN 3-201-01649-7 .
