Austria-Hungary Austrian Kaiser Karls Order

[ccj]

Can someone ID the breast star on Kaiser Karl's right breast?

[hunyadi]

Hi Charles -

This is the Memorial Cross for Franz Joszef. Awarded uppon the Emperors demise.

[ccj]

Hi,

Thanks for the help. That looks much bigger than I had thought those badges are. Can you tell me more about how these were awarded? Were they for the Royal family, military officers, or those who attended the funeral?

I've seen these badges in different colors to. Why?

[hunyadi]

OOOOPPPS - looking at it again, its the Frans Joseph Cross of 1916. However it was not awarded until November 28th, 1916 (a week after the death of FJ) as a 'posthumious' award (for the Emperor) Kaiser Karl was the first recipieint and recieved his on My 12, 1917. It was only awarded 25 times to Generals, Field Marshals, and high officers. The FJ cross is 56mm from arm to arm.

At first look I thought it was the memorial cross but that one has a 'star burst' between the arms of the cross - not the laurel wreath. Established by Karl on November 30th 1916 the FJ Memorial Cross came in oly two classes. The cross is a48mm from arm to arm EK style cross, with a right facing portrait of FJ in a center medalion. Around the medalion is 'IN MEMORIAM. 1848 - 1916' 5 'rays' of a star burst between each arm. The first class came in black oxodized iron (not rust!) while the second class came in gold plate (!) Unfortunatly, the source that has such information makes no mention of how many or who was awarded the memorial cross.

Edited January 7, 2007 by hunyadi

[Humberto Corado]

OOOOPPPS - looking at it again, its the Frans Joseph Cross of 1916. However it was not awarded until November 28th, 1916 (a week after the death of FJ) as a 'posthumious' award (for the Emperor) Kaiser Karl was the first recipieint and recieved his on My 12, 1917. It was only awarded 25 times to Generals, Field Marshals, and high officers. The FJ cross is 56mm from arm to arm.

At first look I thought it was the memorial cross but that one has a 'star burst' between the arms of the cross - not the laurel wreath. Established by Karl on November 30th 1916 the FJ Memorial Cross came in oly two classes. The cross is a48mm from arm to arm EK style cross, with a right facing portrait of FJ in a center medalion. Around the medalion is 'IN MEMORIAM. 1848 - 1916' 5 'rays' of a star burst between each arm. The first class came in black oxodized iron (not rust!) while the second class came in gold plate (!) Unfortunatly, the source that has such information makes no mention of how many or who was awarded the memorial cross.

hello hunyadi,

it is possible that you post an image of this memorial cross?

thanks in advance!

[Humberto Corado]

hello hunyadi,

it is possible that you post an image of this memorial cross?

thanks in advance!

hunyadi,

I find the image of the memorial cross in http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk

I will post it here just for reference.

[hunyadi]

Humberto -

Thanks for psoting the photo - sorry - I had not looked at this post in a while....