A rare gold wound badge...

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is a rare bird. The tear in the bottom was unfortunately due to the packing when it was sent to me.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is a bit of a write up...

http://www.kaiserscross.com/40047/123001.html

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello Chris.

Thank you for showing this as this regiment and others (Hanoverian)from my home area are dear to my heart.

I would guess that the Gold Wound badge was given on account of a severe wound resulting in loss of limb or such. In support of this thinking I quote the job decription of "Schrankenwaerter" ( railroad crossing guard) in the award doc. for the Hindenburg Cross which job could still be handled by a somewhat invalid person.

This regiment (2.Hann.)Inf.Rgt. Nr. 77 lost more than 5200 who died in action. One officer ( on detached duty) won the PLM, seven the Hohenzoller. Five enlisted personnel were awarded the rare Kgl. Preuss. militaer-Verdienstkreuz in Gold. A total of 146 E.K. I class and 4 965 EK Ii class were awarded per the regimental history.

Bernhard H. Holst