Vierdaagse Cross From 1977. Awards for 1 to 39 years.
Introduction
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Between 1909 and 1976, Koninklijke Begeer produced all NBVLO / KNBLO awards. Throughout this period the quality of the medals remained consistent. For example, the silver and gold (gilded) crosses were made of solid silver, while the intricate separate crowns for the second, sixth and eleventh march continued to be made.
As these medals were becoming more expensive to produce, KNBLO looked for cheaper options. This led to the contract for the manufacture of all awards going to W. van Veluw of the town of Zeist near Utrecht. The new medals were generally awarded from 1977 although, as the existing stock of Begeer medals and ribbon numbers appear to have been used up first, it was about two years before all awards presented were of Veluw manufacture.
While the crosses made by Veluw are of the same dimensions and kept the same broad design, there are a number of differences. They are made of cheaper base metals, with minor changes in the style of lettering. The crosses for the second, sixth and eleventh years incorporated an integral crown, replacing the separate crown previously awarded for attachment by the recipient to the top of the cross already held. All crosses have “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse.
The design of the ribbon numbers also changed in 1977, as illustrated below.
More recent changes to the design of the suspension Crown
To improve the look of the medal, the KNBLO approved proposals to modify the design to include a crown 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 – it 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 (2, 6 and 11 years) in 2010.
Bronze Cross: first and second successful march
Ribbon numbers: From 1977, the bronze numbers attached to the ribbon for a third and fourth successful march were of a new design, with the number in bronze appearing on a glazed green enamel oval shield. These are shown on the crosses below.
By the mid 1980’s the background on the number shield is of a slightly lighter green, while the reverse has two pins to secure it to the ribbon, compared with one pin for earlier awards.
1977 to circa 1986
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The cross for one successful march.
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These were of a slightly darker bronze coloured metal than the current crosses.
With crown, the cross for the second march.
From circa 1987
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These are the same design as before, but produced in a bright yellow metal.
As old stock was used up first, the move to the new brighter medals may not have taken place in a single year, although some were certainly being awarded from 1987.
Left: The cross for the first completed four day march.
Below: The cross, with crown, for two marches.
Below left shows the cross awarded until 2009 with a crown that is an integral part of the cross.
Below right shows the modified design awarded from 2010. The crown is made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award.
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Silver Cross: fifth and sixth successful march
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These are of white metal, rather than the silver used up to 1976.
Ribbon numbers: From 1977, the numbers attached to the ribbon for a seventh, eighth and ninth march were of a new design, with the number in white metal appearing on a glazed blue enamel oval shield.
Left: The cross for five marches awarded from 1977.
Below: The cross, with crown, for six marches.
Below left shows the cross awarded until 2009 with a crown that is an integral part of the cross.
Below right shows the modified design awarded from 2010. The crown is made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award.
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Gold Cross: tenth and eleventh successful march
1977 to circa 1986
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This shows the cross for ten and, with crown, eleven marches.
These were of a slightly darker gold coloured metal than the current crosses.
Ribbon numbers: From 1977, the numbers attached to the ribbon for further successful marches were of a new design.
That for 12 to 24 marches is shown above, with the number in gold appearing on a glazed green enamel oval shield. Early shields have a single pin on the back to attach to the ribbon, later replaced by two horizontal pins.
Walkers completing between 25 and 39 marches wear the relevant number in a wreath, as shown below.
From circa 1987
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These are the same design as before, but are now produced in a bright yellow metal. As old stocks were used up first, the move to the new brighter medals may not have taken place in a single year, although some were certainly being awarded from 1987.
Ribbon numbers: By the 1980's the background on the number shields was of a slightly lighter green, while the reverse has two pins to secure the ribbon.
Left: The gold cross for the tenth successful march.
Below: The cross, with crown, for completing eleven marches.
Below left: This version, with a crown that is an integral part of the cross, was awarded to 2009.
Below right: A modified design, with the crown made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award. This has been awarded since 2007 to those who complete twenty five marches. Since 2010 it has been awarded as the standard gold cross to all who complete the event eleven times.
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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.
Suspension
The suspension of crosses was consistent for all classes of cross. The information below therefore applies to bronze, silver and gold crosses awarded in each period.
1977 to 1982
Crosses were awarded with this suspension pin that goes through the loop of ribbon.
For bronze and gold crosses this was yellow metal, with white metal for the silver cross.
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A separate suspension bar was sold at the marches, and could be attached by recipients. These were available in gilt colour (for both bronze and gold awards) and white metal.
These bars were made by Veluw. They were similar to the earlier one produced by Koninklijke Begeer prior to 1977, but with some minor variations. For example, the Veluw version has square edges to the front, rather than the bevelled edges seen on the Begeer suspensions, although minor design variations are found.
From 1983
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From 1983 crosses of all levels were awarded suspended from a new design of top bar. These bars therefore became an integral part of the award. As with the earlier purchased bars, they were either yellow metal (for bronze and gold cross) or white metal (for silver crosses).
These suspension bars are not regulation for military participants who may discard them when mounting their cross with other decorations.
75 Anniversary numbers
In 1991 a small bronze ‘75’ pin was given to all successful walkers to be added to the ribbon to commemorate the 75th March.
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