Following up on my thread about cloth Insignia of the DRK (which, thanks to Gordon's contributions, nicely grew to cover a wide range of uniform items as well), I would like to present some awards of the German Red Cross, more specifically awards of the Bavarian Red Cross [Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz or BRK for short].
Let's start with the Verdienstmedaille der Sanitätskolonne des Bayerischen Roten Kreuzes [Medal for Merit of the Sanitätskolonne of the Bavarian Red Cross], awarded from 1978 to 1995.
"Sanitätskolonne" could roughly be translated as "Medical Column" and was the designation for the basic, local-level unit. Initially, these were all-male units, whereas women served in seperate Frauenbereitschaften [roughly "Women's Readiness Units"]. When I joined the BRK back in 1990, this separation was actually still in place, although it was abolished soon after, with mixed units becoming the norm.
The medal was awarded to active members who had particulary proven themselves on everyday duty and kept rendering exceptionally meritorious volunteer services. It came in three grades, Bronze, Silver and Gold. These were awarded successively, with only the highest grade worn.
Note the loop at the top of the ribbon: The medal was worn buttoned under the flap of the left breast pocket of the grey tunic. (At least officially, the full-size medal was to be worn only for special occasions; otherwise it was to be represented by the ribbon bar. A stickpin for civilian wear was available as well.)
Let's start with the Verdienstmedaille der Sanitätskolonne des Bayerischen Roten Kreuzes [Medal for Merit of the Sanitätskolonne of the Bavarian Red Cross], awarded from 1978 to 1995.
"Sanitätskolonne" could roughly be translated as "Medical Column" and was the designation for the basic, local-level unit. Initially, these were all-male units, whereas women served in seperate Frauenbereitschaften [roughly "Women's Readiness Units"]. When I joined the BRK back in 1990, this separation was actually still in place, although it was abolished soon after, with mixed units becoming the norm.
The medal was awarded to active members who had particulary proven themselves on everyday duty and kept rendering exceptionally meritorious volunteer services. It came in three grades, Bronze, Silver and Gold. These were awarded successively, with only the highest grade worn.
Note the loop at the top of the ribbon: The medal was worn buttoned under the flap of the left breast pocket of the grey tunic. (At least officially, the full-size medal was to be worn only for special occasions; otherwise it was to be represented by the ribbon bar. A stickpin for civilian wear was available as well.)
.
Comment