Medals of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse.
From 1909 to the present day.
The Group Medal (De Groepsmedaille)
Qualification.
Awarded to each registered group who successfully completes all four days of the March.
Registered groups must consist of at least 11 members (a leader and 10 other walkers). They are required to start together each morning and be together at checkpoints and the finish. Originally, all had to complete the marches for the group to receive the award. Since 1973 a group can qualify if no more than 10% of walkers retire during the march. This 10% is rounded up. For example if a team has 13 participants at the start, 10% equates to 1.3, and up to two group members can withdraw and the group medal still be awarded.
Both civilian groups and military detachments qualify, one medal per group. The Group Medal is awarded in addition to the Vierdaagse cross that is awarded to each individual group member.
Early awards.
The Group Medal was being awarded as early as 1913 to military detachments and was known as the 'korpsprijs'. Civilian groups were first allowed to register for the Vierdaagse in 1923. They became eligible for the Group Medal on the same terms as military groups, civilian groups out-numbering military ones by the early 1930's.
In 1928 four groups from Great Britain took part for the first time. The four Group Medals they earned were mounted on what was titled the ‘Nijmegen Shield’. This is still awarded as a trophy for a 20 mile race organised by the British Race Walking Association.
As well as the Vierdaagse at Nijmegen, the Group Medal was also awarded to groups who took part in the four day marches organised in various locations in the Dutch East Indies between 1935 and 1939.
The medal is sometimes seen with the name of the military unit or walking club engraved on the reverse along with the year of award. An example is shown below for the design of medal awarded from 1951 to 1958.
Medal.
There have been a number of changes over the years, with six main variants. All have a diameter of 53 mm. Until 1976 all were manufactured by Koninklijke Begeer, those awarded since 1977 by W. van Veluw.
The portrait of Wilhelmina dates from 1900, when the Queen was nineteen years of age. As an example, the identical obverse was used on a medallion made by Begeer to commemorate the Queen's visit to Utrecht in July 1900.
The period of award, indicated below, for each of the three Wilhelmina types is based on examples seen with the year and group name engraved on the reverse.
Wilhelmina. Up to circa 1930. In ungilded bronze, with a top ring. This example has stamped on the edge. It was awarded without a ribbon and was not designed to be worn. Earlier versions were awarded with a suitable inscription inscription on the reverse side. On the example below, 'Afstandsmarschen Korpsprijs' translates as 'unit award for distance marches'.
BRONS
Wilhelmina. From circa 1930 – 1939. In ungilded bronze. There is no top ring. This type may have been introduced in the late 1920's, with the the earlier ringed type awarded alongside it in order to use up old stock.
Wilhelmina. 1946 – 1950. In gilded bronze. There is no top ring.
BRONS
Juliana (NBVLO). 1951 – 1958. Bronze gilt, often with stamped on the edge. The portrait on the obverse was adopted after Wilhelmina abdicated in favour of her daughter in September 1948 due to ill health. With the need to design and produce the new medals, and to use up existing stock, they were not introduced until the 1951 march. The named medal on the right was awarded in 1957 to the 1st detachment of the Centrum Opleiding Administratief Kader (Central Training Administrative Unit), Royal Dutch Army, based in Middelburg in Zeeland.
Juliana (KNBLO). 1959 – late 1970's. Bronze gilt and a fraction thinner than before. The obverse remained unchanged, the reverse now includes the word 'Koninklijke' to reflect the royal title bestowed on the NBVLO in 1958.
Cross on Obverse. Circa 1980 to date. Gold coloured metal and thinner than earlier versions. This design was adopted after Veluw commenced manufacture of all Vierdaagse awards in 1977. Initally, existing Koninklijke Begeer stock continued to be awarded. When Beatrix became Queen in April 1980 she decided that her portrait should not appear on the medal, and the picture of the march cross was adopted.
You are viewing the text version of this site.
To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.
Need help? check the requirements page.
