Encouragement Medal. (De Aanmoedigingsmedaille)

From the late 1920's an increasing number of young people participated in the Vierdaagse, walking the minimum daily distance of 30 km. For most, this was as a part of a registered group of scouts or other youth organisation, including the NBVLO-affiliated Dutch Youth Association (Bond van den Hollandschen Jongen). Youngsters who completed the March received a certificate, but did not qualify for the Vierdaagse Cross.

In response to criticisms that the certificate was insufficient recognition for young walkers, in 1930 the NBVLO instituted a special youth ‘Encouragement Medal’ for 14 and 15 year olds who completed their regulation daily distance of 30 km. Those aged 16 and above received the Vierdaagse Cross for completing their regulation distance of 40km each day.

Since 1961 successful walkers of all ages have qualified for the Vierdaagse Cross, provided they complete the minimum regulation distance laid down for their age group. Recipients of the Encouragement Medal could not exchange their medal for a Vierdaagse Cross. However, if they successfully completed the march again, the years when they had received only the medal counted when determining what level of cross they would receive.

Earlier type, from 1930. This medal has a diameter of 25 mm and was presented with a 19 mm wide ribbon. It was of gilded bronze and made by Koninklijke Begeer. A second award was marked by a figure '2' on the ribbon (of similar size and design to numerals seen on miniature medals of the period).

Later type, to 1960. While its size remained the same, the design of the medal was changed to show the head of Queen Juliana on the obverse. The previous obverse now became the reverse side, with the design modified by removing the NBLO initials.

Note. Can anyone supply a better quality photgraph of this medal? Please contact me on

Young recipients of the Vierdaagse Cross

In 1961, when all walkers could participate and receive the Vierdaagse Cross irrespective of age, the minimum age was 14. This age was lowered to 13 in 1971 and to 12 in 1978.

The youngest walker ever to receive the Vierdaagse Cross is Fleur Willemsen from Weeze, near Kleve in Germany. She was born on 31 December 1996 and completed the march in 2008 at the age of eleven years 28½ weeks. She was able to take part before her twelfth birthday as, for entry purposes, age is determined by how old you will be at the end of the year of the March.

Young marchers (probably in the late l930's) wearing both the Vierdaagse Cross, and the Encouragement Medal that they would have received in an earlier year.

Scouts (Padvinders) during the 1932 Vierdaagse.

[Pratt en Plaat]