Vierdaagse Cross From 1977. Awards for 1 to 24 years.

Between 1909 and 1976, Koninklijke Begeer produced all NBVLO / KNBLO awards. Throughout this period the quality of the medals remained consistent. For example, the silver and gold (gilded) crosses were made of solid silver, while the separate crowns to be attached for second, sixth and eleventh years were quite intricate to manufacture.

As these medals were becoming more expensive to make, KNBLO looked for cheaper options. This led to the contract for the manufacture of all awards going to W. van Veluw of the town of Zeist near Utrecht. The new medals were generally awarded from 1977 although, as the existing stock of Begeer medals and ribbon numbers appear to have been used up first, the year of the change to Veluw manufactured items may vary slightly.

While the crosses made by Veluw are of the same dimensions and kept the same broad design, there are a number of distinct differences. They are now made of cheaper base metals. The second, sixth and eleventh year crosses incorporate an integral crown, replacing the separate crown previously awarded for attachment to the top of the cross already held. The design of the ribbon numbers also changed.

All crosses from 1977 have “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse.

Bronze Cross: first and second successful march.

From 1977 the bronze numbers attached to the ribbon for a third and fourth successful march were of a new design, with the number in bronze appearing on a glazed green enamel oval shield.

These are shown on the crosses below.

1977 to circa 1986.

This shows the cross for one and, with crown, two successful marches.

These were of a slightly darker bronze coloured metal than the current crosses.

From circa 1987.

These are the same design as before, but are now produced in a bright yellow metal.

As old stock was used up first, the move to the new brighter medals may not have taken place in a single year, although some were certainly being awarded from 1987.

In the mid 1980’s the background on the numbered shield changed to a slightly lighter shade of green.

Silver Cross: fifth and sixth successful march.

This shows the cross for five and, with crown, six marches.

These are of white metal, rather than the silver used up to 1976.

From 1977 the numbers attached to the ribbon for a seventh, eighth and ninth march were of a new design, with the number in white metal appearing on a glazed blue enamel oval shield.