Civic Decoration (Belgium)
Encyclopedia
The Civic Decoration is a civil decoration of Belgium
. It was created on 21 July 1867 to reward the services rendered to the country after a long and meritorious career in the administration, whether national, provincial or local, as well as for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity. A separate decoration was created for meritorious services as a firefighter
.
On 18 May 1915, the Civic Decoration 1914-1915 (later 1918) was created to reward civilians and non-combatants who served their country with distinction during World War I
. A similar Decoration was also created for World War II
.
The Civic Decoration is solely awarded by Royal Decree, even though after the federalisation of Belgium the Regions and Communities seemingly thought that they could award this Decoration to their employees.
These classes are common for all types of Civic Decoration.
with the central medallion bearing the monogram of King Leopold I
or of King Albert I
(for the 1914-1918 Cross) on the obverse and reverse. Between the arms of the Cross are:
The metal of the Cross is gold for the First Class and Silver for the Second Class.
The Medal shows the shape of the Civic Cross imprinted in a metal shape that is vaguely octagonal and looks like a closed florian cross. For the Medals 1914-1918 and 1940-1945, the medal is topped with crossed swords. The metal of the Medal is gold for the First Class, Silver for the Second Class and Bronze for the Third Class.
The ribbons of the Civic Decoration differ in function of the type of award:
The ribbon of the 1914-1918 and of the 1940-1945 Decoration is adorned with a metal bar showing the years of the war.
It seems that the Civic Medal Third Class is no longer awarded.
The Decoration for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity is awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It was created on 21 July 1867 to reward the services rendered to the country after a long and meritorious career in the administration, whether national, provincial or local, as well as for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity. A separate decoration was created for meritorious services as a firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
.
On 18 May 1915, the Civic Decoration 1914-1915 (later 1918) was created to reward civilians and non-combatants who served their country with distinction during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. A similar Decoration was also created for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The Civic Decoration is solely awarded by Royal Decree, even though after the federalisation of Belgium the Regions and Communities seemingly thought that they could award this Decoration to their employees.
Classes
The Civic Decoration is awarded in two classes:- The Civic Cross (further subdivided into a First and Second Class);
- The Civic Medal (further subdivided into a First, Second and Third Class).
These classes are common for all types of Civic Decoration.
Insignia
The badge of the Civic Cross is a white enamelled maltese crossMaltese cross
The Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross, is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta and through them came to be identified with the Mediterranean island of Malta and is one of the National symbols of Malta...
with the central medallion bearing the monogram of King Leopold I
Leopold I of Belgium
Leopold I was from 21 July 1831 the first King of the Belgians, following Belgium's independence from the Netherlands. He was the founder of the Belgian line of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
or of King Albert I
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
(for the 1914-1918 Cross) on the obverse and reverse. Between the arms of the Cross are:
- Crossed swords for the Civic Cross 1914-1918 and 1940-1945;
- A Burgundy Cross for the Civic Cross for administrative services and for services as a firefighter.
The metal of the Cross is gold for the First Class and Silver for the Second Class.
The Medal shows the shape of the Civic Cross imprinted in a metal shape that is vaguely octagonal and looks like a closed florian cross. For the Medals 1914-1918 and 1940-1945, the medal is topped with crossed swords. The metal of the Medal is gold for the First Class, Silver for the Second Class and Bronze for the Third Class.
The ribbons of the Civic Decoration differ in function of the type of award:
- The ribbon is red with three vertical black stripes when the Decoration is awarded for long and distinguished service in the administration;
- The ribbon is red with two vertical black stripes bordered on each side by a yellow line when the Decoration is awarded for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity;
- The ribbon is green with two vertical white stripes when the Decoration is awarded for long and distinguished service as a firefighter;
- The ribbon is pale green with vertical black, yellow and red stripes on each edge (black towards the center) and a central vertical gold stripe for the Decoration 1914-1918;
- The ribbon is saffron with vertical black, yellow and red stripes on each edge (red towards the center) and a central vertical black stripe for the Decoration 1940-1945.
The ribbon of the 1914-1918 and of the 1940-1945 Decoration is adorned with a metal bar showing the years of the war.
Award Conditions
The Civic Decoration for long and distinguished service in the administration is awarded:- Civic Cross: for 35 years of meritorious service, with the First Class awarded to employees of higher rank;
- Civic Medal: for 25 years of meritorious service, with the First Class awarded to employees of higher rank.
It seems that the Civic Medal Third Class is no longer awarded.
The Decoration for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity is awarded on a case-by-case basis.
External links
- The Civic Decoration at Mauquoy Medal Company, one of the last manufacturers of the decoration
- The Civic Decoration 1914-1918 at Northeast Medals
- History and pictures of the Civic Decoration 1914-1918
- Information about Belgium orders Website BONNE & VERBEKE (in Dutch)