Gendarmerie-- Mecklenburg Rules 02

Maddeningly, this is the most recent example of "spectrums shift" in photographs I have yet encountered. Using WW1 era technology, the print makes darker pale blue lighter than that maddeningly darkened pale yellow, and subtle shades of purplish-red look nothing like each other. From the stripes and general positioning, what Ed is wearing SEEMS to be

1) Mecklenburg-Schwerin NONcombatant Friedrich Franz Cross 2nd Class 1914 (matching shades against #3 and #5)

2) Although this is the ribbon of the 1914 Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class, it is also the "war ribbon" of all other Prussian decorations. In the absence of a Hindenburg Cross this late (uniform) what it probably represents is a Kriegerverdienstmedaille. And THAT is one of the "forgotten awards" that falls through the cracks in all regulations without any precedence mentions!

3) EITHER the Mecklenburg-Schwerin Friedrich Franz-Alexandra Cross of 1912-18 or (same ribbon) the Civil Medal for Brave Conduct

4) the ribbon of Mecklenburg's Griffin Order (which makes no sense) OR the 1897 Friedrich Franz Commemorative Medal (which does, with the following)

5) a Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Long Service Cross

6) Prussian/Reichs 1897 Kaiser Wilhelm Centenary Medal


So, Ed's story is this: he was a career 12 year NCO enlistee, from Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on active duty in 1897. As such he received 4) and 6), and eventually 5) before taking up his civil service job afterwards in the Rural Constabulary. Apparently he served in some capacity in World War One but STILL as a "civilian" policeman-- hence, no Hindenburg Cross. And there he was, 40 years later, aged 60, having risen to the dizzying height of

Second Lieutenant.

No, I cannot explain Ribbon 2). But railwaymen who served-- AS railwaymen-- even in the occupied zones, under enemy bombardmnet, did NOT qualify for the MILITARY Hindenburg Crosses. I have no other police expertise to deal with Ed's case. Certainly the Feldgendarmes attached to the army WERE considered members of the military. But perhaps not the Etappen occupation police.

I sure wish he was wearing hsi MEDAL bar!!!!!


Mecklenburg had its own very odd precedence regulations, which will be detailed in the "Regulations" section. The elderly Lieutenant is pushing those rules to the limits, both in interpreation and at this late date.