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 25, 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’ awards has been recently improved.

Since 1977 the Vierdaagse Cross had been manufactured by W. van Veluw of Zeist. Their contract required production of crosses at a lower cost than their predecessors. This has inevitably resulted in a lowering of quality, and this has been criticised by some walkers. One criticism was that those who received the special ‘high number’ medals received crosses that, although having some design differences to distinguish them from those for fewer participations, were of no better quality in either workmanship or metal.

In 2005 it was finally decided to introduce better made pieces for distances at and above 25 successful marches, the new crosses being awarded from 2007. These kept the basic design, although the detail was better defined with, for example, a crown that is manufactured separately and then attached. The 50 and 60 year crosses are of gilded silver (hallmarked) and are heavier than the old version. While still produced by 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, being 36 mm at their widest point.

The design of the ribbon numbers, as shown in the photographs, remains unchanged.

Those who had previously completed 25 or more marches, or who had already received the 40, 50 or 60 year crosses can claim the new versions. There is no requirement to return the old medal.

The crosses below show both the original and new versions. All crosses have “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse.

Gold Cross: twenty fifth successful march.

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.

This is the 25 year cross awarded since 2007. It is in the same broad design and metal as the 11 year cross, although its detail and, in particular the crown, are better defined.

The top bar is the same that for the current 10 and 11 year cross.

The wreathed figures on the ribbon remain as before.

This wreathed numeral remained the only recognition for 25-year walkers until 2007, when this new cross was introduced.

In 2007 137 walkers completed their 25th march, and a further 157 in 2008, the number generally going up slightly every year. As walkers who have previously walked 25 or more marches can claim the cross, the total medals distributed to date is higher.

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.

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 2009, over 420 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.

Version since 2007.