Vierdaagse Cross 1909 – 1958
With only very minor variations, the design of the cross was consistent throughout this period. From 1959 the letters on the arms changed from NBVLO to KNBLO to reflect the bestowal of the title ‘Royal’ (Koninklijke) the previous year.
All crosses were made by Koninklijke Begeer of the South Holland town of Voorschoten.
Bronze Cross: first and second successful march
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Type awarded before 1940. Made of gilded bronze. Awarded without a crown for the first successful march. For the second year a separate gilded bronze crown was awarded for attachment to the suspension of the first year cross.
Obverse. As shown, although there were minor variations in the style of the letters on the arms of the cross.
Reverse. Prior to 1940, this was plain. Many crosses were stamped with the maker’s name ‘Kon Begeer Voorschoten’.
Ribbon numbers. Bronze gilt numbers were attached to the ribbon for a third and fourth successful march.
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Cross from the first March of 1909 in bronze gilt.
This cross, engraved on reverse upper arm with the year of the first march (1909), confirms that the broad design of the cross has remained the same over the years.
The cross has no maker's mark and is stamped 'BRONS' on the reverse.
The central shield has been manufactured separately and attached to the cross, a feature of crosses from the early marches.
In 1909 the cross was awarded in bronze gilt to soldiers who completed the regulation 55 kms a day with full kit, and bronze for soldiers who marched without full pack.
Civilians who completed the 35km a day route received the existing NBvLO prize bronze medal, with a suitable inscription (see 'Other civilian awards' page for photo)
(With thanks to Gerrit Van Weeghel for supplying the photographs)
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Bronze Cross: not gilded. Identical to the gilded version, but of plain bronze.
Awarded in the early years of the Marches to those who completed the event, but did not meet the full requirements as laid down in the Regulations. This includes soldiers who marched the full 55 km route but without full pack and, by 1918, to civilian men who completed one of the optional shorter routes. Initially at least, women who walked their regulation distance of 40km also received the ungilded cross.
Soldiers walking the regulation military distance with full backpack and, from 1910, civilians who walked the full 55 km distance, received the gilt cross.
The regulations were later changed so that walkers who completed a route that was less than their required regulation distance received a certificate only, and no medal.
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Examples award from 1946. While the obverse remains the same, all bronze medals were now struck with a roundel at the centre of the reverse, bearing the inscription ‘Kon Begeer Voorschoten’.
Silver Cross: fifth and sixth successful march
Prior to 1918 the silver cross was awarded for the third successful march. Given the small number taking part in the early days, and as no marches took place in 1914 or 1915, very few silver crosses were ever awarded for a third march.