Volunteer Cross

[Eric Stahlhut]

As far as I can tell, this award was from an Association of Former Volunteers of 1914. Can't find much info...

Can anyone elaborate any further on this organization? Was the cross given only to those who initially volunteered in 1914, or was it given to ALL volunteers for the duration of the war?

[Eric Stahlhut]

If this was awarded only to the initial volunteers of 1914 one would think that this would be considered a rather exclusive organization.


Marked to Paul Kust, Berlin.

[VerKuilen Ager]

According to Hüsken this was for the Verband der Kriegsfreiwilligen and the badges (with and without swords) were known as the Kriegs-Erinnerungskreuz 1914-1918, all of which suggests it was for vets from the wider period. Over the years I've owned two of these and seen several others, so think that also suggests a wider distribution. By the way, the one without swords is harder to find.

[Eric Stahlhut]

I tend to agree. I've seen it described as the less plausible of the two theories, and wanted to get another opinion. I think I've only seen the w/o swords version once, and the seller wanted far too much (IMO) for the thing. Even more than what Huesken had it valued at in '99. Which is a lot!