Belgium Belgian Civil Decoration for Long Service in the Administration

[Laurence Strong]

This was instituted by Leopold II, and was awarded to civil servants who had worked for a minimum of 25 years. It was issued in accordance to the recipient's rank. It was issued in 5 levels 2 crosses and 3 medals

Here's the set

[Laurence Strong]

Gold Cross, this one looks like a new issue.

[Laurence Strong]

The Silver cross. This is an older version I think, though it is post 1918 as it has only 2 leaves on the "branches de la Croix de Bourgogne", those are the flower like extentions in between the arms of the cross.

Edited August 15, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Here's the First Class (Gold) medal, it is also a newer issue I would think.

[Laurence Strong]

Second class (Silver) medal. This is another post 1918 older one by the looks of it, it could have a good silver content. It is also only 12 as thick as the previous gold medal.

Edited August 15, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Third class (Bronze) medal. This one is smaller but to large to be a miniature, so I believe that the bronze was smaller than the rest of the medals. I am sure one of the more knowledgable members here can confirm or deny this for me. Also I believe this one pre dates 1918 as it has 3 leave on the branches.

Edited August 14, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Here's a scan showing the difference in the medals and the ribbons. I understand that the Civil Guard and the Fire Brigade were issued with a different ribbon. Thanks to all for looking, hope you enjoyed

[g_deploige]

Here's a scan showing the difference in the medals and the ribbons. I understand that the Civil Guard and the Fire Brigade were issued with a different ribbon. Thanks to all for looking, hope you enjoyed

Here the other ribons of the civilian decoration

(1) ribbon for act of courrage

(2) ribbon for the fireman and garde civique (civilan guard)

(3) ribbon for act of courrage for the fireman and garde civique (civilan guard)

[g_deploige]

Here's a scan showing the difference in the medals and the ribbons. I understand that the Civil Guard and the Fire Brigade were issued with a different ribbon. Thanks to all for looking, hope you enjoyed

Here the other ribons of the civilian decoration

(1) ribbon for act of courrage

(2) ribbon for the fireman and garde civique (civilan guard)

(3) ribbon for act of courrage for the fireman and garde civique (civilan guard)

[Hendrik]

Third class (Bronze) medal. This one is smaller but to large to be a miniature, so I believe that the bronze was smaller than the rest of the medals.

No, it wasn't : I have both smaller and larger size bronze medals in my collection ... "normal" size (originally 30 mm as decreed in 1867) over the years has varied between 28 and 35 mm diameter. According to the Born? book, the 28mm type started to appear around 1898 whereas a 33mm one came into being about 1902. After WWI, upon ribbons being standardized to 37 mm, the medal grew to 35 mm.

Cheers,

Hendrik

[Hendrik]

...the Civil Guard and the Fire Brigade were issued with a different ribbon.

Sorry : typo in my previous ... for 35 mm read 37.5 mm !

Here's a few pictures showing decorations with such ribbons and the odd bar as well.

First a 28 mm bronze medal on the bravery ribbon :

[attachmentid=50092]

Secondly, a 35 mm (no typo this time, the size does exist) gold medal for long service with the fire brigade or civil guard :

[attachmentid=50093]

and finally, on a fire brigade/civil guard bravery ribbon, a silver 2nd class cross :

[attachmentid=50094]

The bar, having "Courage-Moed" as its legend (bravery in both French and Flemish), indicates a second award of the decoration, the black enameled bar is, of course, denoting a posthumous award. The bravery bar is in the same metal as the medal or cross and so can be executed in gold, silver or bronze depending on the decoration it is worn on.

Cheers,

Hendrik

[Laurence Strong]

Hi Henrick and Guy.

Thanks for the extra info and pictures. Like everything else in this hobby when I think I have a set, this big voice in the sky hollers........"NOT" Oh well .

My Bronze measurese out at 29.5mm with a set of electronic calipers.

Edited August 15, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Starting on the Admin Bravery level. I am not sure wether to call this one a 1st or 2nd class medal. The Fireman and Garde civil medals are seeming to be hard to find

[Laurence Strong]

Came in from the same place as my new Order of Leopold I

Also in a Gustave Wolfers case

[Laurence Strong]

A different address from the other case. can you date the cases by the address blocks?

[Laurence Strong]

The cross it self. Hard to say if it's a gold or silver!

[Laurence Strong]

Close up, would it be made out of silver to tarnish and corrode like this?

[Hendrik]

Laurence,

As the box mentions 1st class, the cross should be gilt ... perhaps you might try "cleaning" just a small tip to confirm that ?

Cheers,

Hendrik

[Laurence Strong]

Hi Hendrik

I agree with you, just not to sure what to clean it with!!

A Sapeurs-Pompier hat badge and a ribbon bar with the Order of Leopold II -not sure what grade it represents-, the Commemerative medal for WW2 with crossed swords, the Resistance medal, and the Long Service for the Sapeurs-Pompiers

Edited January 10, 2007 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Ist Class cross for Sapeurs-Pompiers.

[Laurence Strong]

Cross obv/rev

Edited January 10, 2007 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Case front

[Laurence Strong]

2nd Class cross with case front it is unmarked inside.

[Laurence Strong]

Why is the stripe in the 1st class wider than on this one, is it the class of the medal, or a old vs new, or would it be the wrong ribbon - thought I can't find another medal to match it too.

[Laurence Strong]

2nd class medal with case