belgium Belgian Golden book of the fire card

[TacHel]

Found this incredible reference work at a local gun show this afternoon!  I never expected to find such a thing outside of a European flea market!  

The LIVRE D'OR DE LA CARTE DU FEU (GOLD BOOK OF THE FIRE CARD) detailing thousands upon thousands of recipients of the CROIX DU FEU, most with a photo of these recipients, and the list of their individual awards.  Unit after unit after unit...  Even page fulls of recipients of the clasp for Russia with many having been awarded Russian imperial awards.  The cover is a bit worn but the inside is in awesome shape!  This is a big book, and almost 2 inches thick.  Simply fascinating find! 

[Hendrik]

Hello Frank,

There's a dedicated website concerning these books (there's more than your 1937 one) at http://www.tenboome.webruimtehosting.net/guldenboek/Guldenboekprojecttotaal/

Regards,

Hendrik

[TacHel]

Interesting!  Thanks!  If I understand correctly, same book, just multiple editions with supplements up to 1940.  So there are 3 editions more complete than mine.  Still, incredible reference.

There are a few abbreviations I can't figure out that aren't in the table of abbreviations at the end of the book, maybe you can shed some light on them?

They usually appear immediately after the soldiers rank, for example:

Soldat 8 ch. fr.   or 4 ch. fr.  or 7 ch. fr.    

What does ch. fr. stand for?

Edited September 13, 2015 by TacHel

[TacHel]

Maybe I figured it out?

Ch. Fr. = Chasseurs Francs?

 

[Stuka f]

Could you post a pic or scan of the original picture with full text.

[GM1]

Interesting!  Thanks!  If I understand correctly, same book, just multiple editions with supplements up to 1940.  So there are 3 editions more complete than mine.  Still, incredible reference.

There are a few abbreviations I can't figure out that aren't in the table of abbreviations at the end of the book, maybe you can shed some light on them?

They usually appear immediately after the soldiers rank, for example:

Soldat 8 ch. fr.   or 4 ch. fr.  or 7 ch. fr.    

What does ch. fr. stand for?

Ch. fr. means Chevrons de Front, the frontlines earned by the soldiers during the war. (first frontline after 1 year service, then 1 per six months). Maximum of frontlines is 8.

 

Best regards,

 

GM1

[TacHel]

Thanks! 

 

And ch. bl.?  Chevron de blessé?

[Hendrik]

 If I understand correctly, same book, just multiple editions with supplements up to 1940.  So there are 3 editions more complete than mine.  ...

What does ch. fr. stand for?

Each volume lists the recipients that collected their fire cross/fire card book that particular year and thus is not a supplement but an entirely new book. To have all the recipients listed, you need all books.

ch.fr. is indeed "chevrons de front", front stripes and ch.bl. is wound stripes (chevrons de blessure).

Regards,

Hendrik

[TacHel]

Thanks!