Deutsches Rotes Kreuz uniforms and awards

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

Time to look at an area we haven't visited before. The West German DRK. I am going to start off with pictures of a woman's dress/smock. I suspect this garment was worn as a dress and not over other clothes but I do not really know. Perhaps someone can provid that info.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

A close up of the badge worn on the left breast of the dress.

[Gordon Craig]

Here is a picture of a pin that was on the dress when I received it. I do not know what the letters on the pin stand for. Anyone have any ideas?

[Gordon Craig]

Now, on to an award. This is the Ehrenzeichen des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes in silver in its case. There is a miniature and a stick pin for this award. I do not have ether of these two items.

[Gordon Craig]

A closer view of the obverse.

[Gordon Craig]

The reverse.

[Gordon Craig]

The top of the case. It is devoid of any markings.

[Gordon Craig]

The bottom of the case showing the name of a well know maker of German awards.

[Gordon Craig]

"Papa Otto" being presented with this award.

[Gordon Craig]

A newspaper clipping about "Papa Otto" that came with the award.

[Gordon Craig]

This next uniform is for a man and I tried very hard to acquire it but without success as the vendor and I were not able to come to a mutual agreement on price. I had never seen a West German DRK tunic with a cuffband before nor have I seen one since. If anyone can tell me anything about the duties carried out by a person who wore this cuffband I would be very gratefull.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

A closeup of the cuffband.

[Gordon Craig]

A closeup of the collar tabs. They appear to be trimmed in silver. An indication of rank perhaps?

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

According to website of DRK in Hannover, Fachdienstbereitschaft des DRK are personnel with special technical, communication and transport training that are always on alert ("Bereitschaft"). It is what I guessed from their name but did search to confirm that. English translation would be roughly "Specialty Service Alert" (hard to exactly translate). They were formed in 1959 and still exist, although DRK no more wears grey service uniforms.

Appears they have their own Laufbahnabzeichen too:
http://www.fdb-drk.de/index.php?id=140&no_cache=1

Would be interesting to post more DRK tunics. I notice there are version with pleated pockets and one with only 4 pocket flaps (earlier I think). Also it seems DRK-Schwester still wore WW2-style dresses into 1960s? Some news coverage (for 60 Jahre BRD) on German TV about Berlin protests had photo from 1960s of DRK supplying protester with water and wearing uniform like WW2. Interesting.

regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Thanks for the link to that really informative BRD DRK site. A superb reference for their uniforms, vehicles etc. I must do some more research in this area soon!

Regards,

Gordon