Social welfare and civil medal info ?

[Ischak]

Guys, can you please send me some text about this medal ?
I am lost for who exactly, when instituted etc..

Same problem with Civil awards (25, 40, 50)

thank you

[M.E.E.]

Which particular medal are you needing information on there was 4 classes of red cross and 3 classes of Red Cross plus a grand cross.

[Ischak]

Which particular medal are you needing information on there was 4 classes of red cross and 3 classes of Red Cross plus a grand cross.

I need lot of information, for characterictic. Anyway thanks

[M.E.E.]

Seems I can't type should have been 4 classes of social services and 3 + red cross. Need more sleep, or more coffee. There was also a very good link to a site here on WAF that had some very good information on DRK that I found yesterday but can't seem to find today. I found it by doing a search for DRK medals.

[Ischak]

Thank you, let me know please if you find anything

[Hans Kondor]

Same problem with Civil awards (25, 40, 50)

This interested me to.Who got these awards?

[byterock]

This interested me to.Who got these awards?

Well quick off the top of my head

the 25and 40 could be awarded to any 'Public Employee' after the prescribed years of service. 'Public employee' had a very broad meaning from Rail-road officials, civil servants, post-men, so almost anyone who was employed directly or indirectly by the government and who was not full time member of the police, fire services or I thing customs service.

The 50 Year medal was for employees of 'Private' companies who worked for 50 or more years for he same firm.

The regulations allowed for the wearing of the 25 and 40 year medals together and one other long service decoration. So an army reservist could wear one other medals as well. A reserve police offices as well

The 50year medal was always worn alone. I think only very few of these were actually awarded but many 1000s were produced and it is a common medal

hope this helps

[Hans Kondor]

Well quick off the top of my head

the 25and 40 could be awarded to any 'Public Employee' after the prescribed years of service. 'Public employee' had a very broad meaning from Rail-road officials, civil servants, post-men, so almost anyone who was employed directly or indirectly by the government and who was not full time member of the police, fire services or I thing customs service.

The 50 Year medal was for employees of 'Private' companies who worked for 50 or more years for he same firm.

The regulations allowed for the wearing of the 25 and 40 year medals together and one other long service decoration. So an army reservist could wear one other medals as well. A reserve police offices as well

The 50year medal was always worn alone. I think only very few of these were actually awarded but many 1000s were produced and it is a common medal

hope this helps

Yes, its clear now, thank you very much for your help!

[M.E.E.]

The social services medals were instituted in 1939 and they were awarded for loyal service to do with medical works, winter relief, keeping of customs, looking after fellow Germans in foreign countries. They could be awarded to both civilians and military personal. First second and third classes would be given to officers, or civilians of extreme standing, while the medal would be given to Leutnant and lower ranks. It was not uncommon to see high ranking SS and Generals to have the Social services cross's. When the Social services medal was created the Red Cross medals proper were phased out. Hope that helps a little, I wasn't able to find the link I was looking for though.

[Ischak]

Many thanks anyway lot of good information, not only for me

[byterock]

IF you snoop about here with the search you will find some super pictures of the super grand puba grade of the Social Welfare medal.

The neck order with brilliants which is held at the museum at west point

Here is what I have dug up on the Red cross and its replacement the Social Welfare

1) Red Cross Sign (badge) of Honour,

The word Cross was not used for this medal the best translation would be Sign or Badge, IMHO

Founded 22 April 1922 in three grades

1) First Class (neck order)
2) Cross of Merit (Pinback)
3) Third Class (suspended from ribbon)

This one has the Red cross emblem on it and is now used as the modern version

The design was changed in 1927?? to one with the German Eagle with red cross shield abd the order expanded as follows

1) First Class (neck order) with Star
2) First Class
3) Cross of Merit (Pinback)
4) Third Class (suspended from ribbon)
5) Medal of Merit (suspended from ribbon)

The design was Nazified by the addition of the Swastika in April of 1937 and kept the same 4 levels

If I am reading my German correctly the badge was very specific to the Red Cross and would be quite usual for non member to receive the award.

The Start was awarded rarely and always with the First Class, Though is was possible to get the first class without the star.

It was not an order like the IC or KVK in that one did not need the lower level award to get next highest.

This Badge was replace by the Social Service Cross of Honour on Mayday 1939 (By then the Nazis had take over the DRC but that is another story)

The Social Service Cross of Honour

For meritorious achievement in social welfare, Red Cross, etc ect. In Three Grades and one medal. Expanded in January 1942 by one Special Grade and one medal.

1) First Class (neck order) with Star
2) Second Class (Pinback)
3) Third Class (suspended from ribbon)
4) Third Class with Swords (suspended from ribbon)
5) Medal of Merit (suspended from ribbon)
6) Medal of Merit with swords (suspended from ribbon)

All classes could be awarded to military and civilians but military personnel who's normal duties came under the charter were not eligible.

i.e. A military doctor could not get this award for taking care of the wounded (KVK for that) he could get it for working outside his duties (on his own time I guess) working for the Winder Help Fund)

an example a solider qualifying for this award would be a district commander who assists in settling Volk Germans in his area.

Or a solider who organizes a fund raising campaign for the Winder Help Fund

The Third Class with Swords was only for Female hospital workers (civilian or military) and non-military male technicians in the Eastern Zone of Operations.

The Medal with swords was for meritorious achievement in a war zone.