Medals of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse.
From 1909 to the present day.
Vierdaagse Cross From 1977. Awards for 25 years or more.
Awards for 1 to 24 years are dealt with on a separate page:
Introduction.
As the numbers of walkers who have completed a large number of marches has increased, special crosses have been authorised and awarded to mark their achievement. There are now distinct crosses for 40, 50 and 60 marches. All are awarded with a crown suspension and a ribbon number from the first year of their award.
New high quality versions.
While remaining broadly similar in design to the crosses awarded previously, the quality and design of these ‘high number’ medals has been improved for awards made from 2007.
In 2005 the KNBLO decided to improve the design of the Cross by introducing a crown that is made separately and fixed to the medal by the manufacturers. This gives it a similar appearance to the older Koninklijke Begeer medals although, unlike the earlier medals, the crown is not awarded alone to be attached by the recipient, but is always awarded as part of a complete medal. These changes were introduced for higher awards (25, 40, 50 and 60 years) in 2007 and for other awards that bear a crown (2, 6 and 11 years) in 2010.
In addition, since 2007 the 50 and 60 year crosses have been manufactured to a higher standard, are made of gilded silver (hallmarked) and are heavier than the old version. While still produced by W. van Veluw, the look and quality of these crosses is closer to the ones produced formerly by Koninklijke Begeer. The new versions have the same dimensions as the older type, 36 mm at their widest point and bear the makers name: “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse.
Those walkers who had previously received the 40, 50 or 60 year crosses can purchese and wear the new versions. There is no requirement to return the old medal.
The crosses below show both the original and new versions.
The design of the ribbon numbers, as shown in the photographs, has remained unchanged.
Gold Cross: twenty fifth successful march.
A walker who completes 25 marches wears the relevant number in a wreath attached to the ribbon of his original eleven year gold cross.
Until 2005, a walker who completed between 25 and 39 marches wore the relevant number in a wreath attached to the ribbon of his original eleven year gold cross.
In 2007 walkers who completed 25 marches received a new version of the gold cross.
Since 2010 this medal has been awarded as the standard gold cross to all who complete the event eleven times. Therefore no distinct medal is awarded for completing the march 25 times.
Ribbon numbers for 25 or more successful marches.
The design for the ribbon numbers for 25 or more walks was changed in 1977, although it kept the same basic design as before of a number within a wreath.
This type was awarded from 1977 to the early 1980s and has the enamelled metal without the glazing seen on the shields with lower numbers.
By the early 1980s, the wreathed numbers were produced with a glazed front. This made them consistent with shields bearing numbers below 25.
Gold Cross: fortieth successful march.
By the early 1970's a number of walkers had completed 40 or more marches. Each year, these walkers continued to receive the relevant wreathed number to attach to the ribbon of their original gold cross.
In about 1978 a distinct 40 year cross was first approved and awarded, produced by the new makers, W. van Veluw. As well as being awarded to walkers on reaching their fortieth march, those who had already successfully walked more than forty marches could claim the medal.
1978 – 2005.
Original Version, 1978 to early 1980's.
Version from early 1980's to 2005.
This cross was similar in metal and general quality to the ten and eleven year cross, the only difference being in the colour of the laurel behind the arms. The wreathed year figure on the ribbon also changed its background colour.
Crosses from earlier years, like the 10 and 11 year medal, were of a slightly darker metal, changing in the mid 1980's to a bright yellow metal.
The ribbon numbers also changed by the mid 1980's. Earlier ones were of a metal-fronted design (on the left). The version with a glazed front (on the right) was then adopted.
As with other Vierdaagse crosses, awards up to 1982 were suspended from a pin, those from 1983 having the same suspension bar as seen on 10 and 11 year gold crosses.
Fom 2007.
Version since 2007.
The new version is of the same broad design and metal as before, but with the detail of the cross and, in particular the crown, better defined. The wreathed figure on the ribbon and top bar on the ribbon remain unchanged.
Including 2012, about 520 walkers have been awarded the 40 year cross. This includes about 350 who received the old version, although they are entitled to claim the new version if they so wish.
Gold Cross: fiftieth & Sixtieth successful march.
These medals are dealt with on a separate page:
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