Belgium Calling: Belgian military awards and medals
While most of us think of Belgium as always being a part of Europe, it is a country even younger than the United States. Belgian medals are a great find!
Collecting military medals is a fascinating hobby, especially if the collector loves the history behind the awards. When a collector holds a medal in his or her hand they can immediately connect to the country of origin and the medal’s history and purpose. While many enthusiasts collect the medals of the United States, Germany, Great Britain and even France, the awards of Belgium can be equally interesting in terms of history and numbers issued.
Surprisingly, while most of us think of Belgium as always being a part of Europe, it is a country even younger than the United States, only becoming an independent nation in 1830. In the Roman period it was part of Roman-controlled Gaul. By the Middle Ages, the area divided into various feudal states like the country of Flanders and the Duchy of Brabant. In the 15th to 18th centuries Belgium was part of the Habsburg Netherlands, then southern Netherlands under Austrian rule. By 1815, the Congress of Vienna united Belgium with the Netherlands to form the United Kingdom of Netherlands. While under the rule of William of Orange as the United Kingdom, the Belgium people were not pleased and in 1830 revolted in what was considered southern Netherlands and declared themselves an independent nation on October 4 of that year.
King Leopold the 1st managed to help this new country survive with a population that spoke multiple languages, including French, Dutch and German. Belgium’s history was always influenced by various empires and powers with the impact of both World Wars greatly influencing Belgium military awards. It has all led to many awards and a fertile area of military collecting.
The first Belgium King, Leopold I, instituted on July 11, 1832 the Order of Leopold I for services rendered to Belgium. The medal comes in five classes and three divisions (Military, Maritime, and Civil) with our example with crossed swords for the Military version. The Maritime has crossed anchors and the Civil is plain. The eight-pointed, gold-rimmed, white enamel cross is seen imposed on a green laurel wreath. The black center medallion portrays a rampant gold Belgium lion surrounded by a gold-rimmed crimson band with a gold motto “Union Fait La Force” meaning “Union Makes Power”. The badge is suspended by a large royal crown. The reverse of the medal is almost identical, but the gold-rimmed center with red and gold enamel border shows the gold letters LR standing for Leopold Rex. This is the earliest Belgium Order and Belgium’s highest award.
At the death of Leopold I in 1865 his eldest son became the second king of Belgium. Leopold II became quite interested in the South African Colonies and was able to acquire possession through treaties with the local tribes. This resulted in his claiming the Congo region in the name of Belgium and making himself the King of the Belgium Congo. On Oct. 15, 1897, while he was the King of Independent State of the Congo, he established a new order, the Order of the Crown. While originally issued for the Congo State, it became a Belgium Order in 1908 when Belgium took over the Congo as a Colony. It was awarded to Belgians as well as foreigners who distinguished themselves in the fields of commerce, industry, literacy, a artistic and scientific works. The striking double-pointed white five-arm cross is separated by rays and suspended from a green enameled wreath. It is awarded for military services indicated by the crossed swords on the ribbon. Our Knight example is one of five classes of the Order. To thoroughly confuse collectors of the medal the Order of the Crown, it also is issued in the form of two palms (gilt and Silver) and three medals (gilt, silver, and bronze).
King Leopold II also instituted on Aug. 24, 1900 the Order of Leopold II. Just as with the Order of the Crown, it was initially issued for the Congo State and became a Belgium Order in 1908 when Belgium took over the Colony. It was awarded to Belgians, foreigners, and civilians as well as the military for services to the King. It had the usual five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, officer and Knight. A sixth class was in the form of either a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Slight variations exist based on the time of issue.
Belgium medals are often based on a time period, such as WWI and WWII. One such example is the Belgium Croix De Guerre of 1914-1918 as well as the Croix De Guerre for 1940-1945, and even a current version of the medal. Our examples show (L-R) a WWI Croix De Guerre with 3 palms, a WWI Croix De Guerre with 1 palm, and a WWII version with a small bronze lion. A bronze palm was for being mentioned in an Army dispatch. The bronze lion in the WWII version is for being mentioned in dispatches of the regiment.
Belgium also issued several awards directly for Military Service. One example is the Belgium Military Cross established Feb. 11, 1885. The four-arm black-enameled cross with ball tips was presented for 25 years of military service (2nd class) with a first class with rosette-mounted ribbon for more than 25 years service. In addition, Belgium added a Military Decoration for acts of bravery on Dec. 22, 1873. It was presented to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men for acts of courage. By 1952 the medal was renewed by royal decree and included officers also.
Similar in design is the Military Decoration for Long Service, also established in 1873. Awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, it was issued as a first class medal with inverted chevron, while a second class award was given for 10- year service without the chevron.
Many of the Belgium awards arose in the period of WWI. Often the medals would be for a particular battle. The Belgium forces were quickly overwhelmed by the German advance, but at Battle of Yser, The Belgium forces flooded the Nieuwpoort sluices along the Yser River while fortifying the left bank and preventing any further Advance. The Yser Medal was issued in 1918 for service with distinction between Oct.17-31, 1914. It was often issued posthumously. Later, in 1934, four arms were added to the Yser Medal as a replacement and called the Cross of Yser. Also shown is the Belgium Fire Cross, also established in 1934. It was awarded for front line service to the Belgium military during WWI.
Belgium issued additional WWI medals, including:
— Queen Elizabeth Medal issued in 1915 to Belgians and foreigners for distinguished service helping Belgians and civilians in WWI.
— Cross of the Deported presented to those who refused to work for the Germans and were deported.
— Volunteer Combatant’s Medal established in 1930 and awarded to volunteers both Belgium and foreign for service during “the Hour of Peril” in WWI.
— Liege Medal distributed in 1920 to the defenders of Liege and bestowed by the city of Liege.
— The Commemorative Medal WWI established in 1919 and awarded to all soldiers serving in the Army in WWI.
— Belgium WWI Victory Medal instituted July 1, 1919 and awarded to all Belgians who served in WWI. During the same WWI period Belgium issued the Civil Decoration Cross (established 1915) for civilians or non-combattant soldiers who served their country with distinction, were prisoners and /or escaped. It came in both in a 1st class (gold) trim and a 2nd class (silver trim) with both having an “A” for Albert in the center medallion.
— A companion award called a Civic Decoration Medal was established in September 1915. It was presented for the same reasons as the cross but for deeds of less distinction. It came in three classes: 1st Class (gold), 2nd Class (silver), and 3rd Class (bronze).
Just as Belgium issued medals for WWI, the WWII period would see many new Belgium medals introduced, providing collectors even more opportunities. On July 21, 1944 the exiled Belgium government established the Civil Decoration Cross (1940-1945) to be given for distinguished service and devotion to the country. There were two classes of crosses: a First Class Cross in the form of a white-enameled four- arm cross with Gold Trim, and a Second Class Cross with the same design but with silver trim.
Under the same decree Belgium created the Civil Decoration Medal. It was issued for the same reason as the crosses but to those persons whose action deserved recognition but did not merit a cross decoration. The medal came in a First Class gold medal, a Second Class silver medal, and a Third Class bronze medal. It was very similar in design to a 1867 medal called the Decoration for Civil Acts of Courage Medal awarded for acts of courage and devotion. It came in the same three classes as the Civil Decoration Medal. The major difference for the collector is the color design of the medal’s ribbon.
There were numerous other awards from World War II.
— The African War Medal (1940-1945) was established in 1947 and presented to armed forces of the colony who took part in the African Campaigns of 1940-45.
— Also established in 1947 was the Colonia War Effort Medal (1940-1945) awarded to colonial government employees, missionaries, and native authorities.
— A Fighter of the War (1940-1945) medal was later established in 1967. This medal was given to living Belgium soldiers who served in the armed forces and included any foreigners who served with the exiled Belgian forces in England during WWII. The obverse designs are easily recognizable.
A second group of WWII Belgium medals associated with the period are often found by the determined collector. They include:
— The Volunteer Combatant’s Medal instituted in 1952 by royal decree and awarded to Belgians and foreigners alike who volunteered for combat Service in Korea. Some of these medals were presented to volunteers in both WWI and WWII. Some are found with a bar marked “pugnator” and were given to those volunteers actually on the battlefield.
— The WWII Recognition Medal for Aid to Belgium (1940-1945) was was given for outstanding displays of patriotism or charitable works in WWII. The medal can be found as a First Class (gold), Second Class (silver) or Third Cass (bronze). A lucky collector may find this medal with a red cross added to the medal for aiding the sick or wounded.
There are many additional Belgium awards, including labor medals as well as many commemorative medals for various kings’ reigns.
There are also two more unique WWII era medals and one that brings the Belgium Awards into the Korean War era.
— The Political Prisoner Cross (1940-1945) was established in 1947 and awarded to Belgians for submitting to imprisonment for acts of devotion to the Allies. The striking silver cross shows an inverted triangle in red with the black letter “B”. The reverse show the dates 1940-1945.
— An equally striking medal is the Prisoner of War Medal was also authorized in 1947 for military prisoners of WWII. It shows a downward-pointing sword imposed on a cross in the center. Some medals can be found with a bronze star on the ribbon for each 3 months of captivity. The reverse depicts a guard tower with barbed wire encircled with a chain ring.
— The Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations was issued by King Baudouin in 1951. This more contemporary medal was issued to Belgians and foreigners serving in a Belgium unit in Korea. It should be noted that the same troops were eligible for the United Nations Service Medal for Korea.
This list certainly does not cover all the Belgium awards, but will hopefully serve as a starting point for collectors who may be interested in exploring this interesting niche further.
and the octagonal Recognition Medal for Aid to Belgium - 3rd class bronze medal. David L. Burrows
Belgium Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations (obverse) and the same medal’s reverse. David L. Burrows
Looking for more information on medals? Here are a few more articles for your reading enjoyment.
David Burrows is a retired educator and life long military collector. He started collecting as a teenager. David was a physics teacher for 37 years with the Pittsburgh Public schools. He is a frequent contributor to Military Trader as well as the OMSA Journal. His other passion with British cars has resulted in many feature stories both in US publications as well as international publications over the last 30 years.
