This award was established by the Hessian Red Cross Land Union in 1900. Members of volunteer sanitary columns were awarded after a faithful 40 years of service. Bronze medals have been known for 25 years. This silver medal for 40 years is extremely rare and is still not cataloged. I would appreciate further information.
Volunteer sanitary columns were organizations formed from national military unions. They were recruited from members of the Association who no longer belonged to the Reserve, Landwehr or Replacement Reserve, but placed themselves at the disposal of the Red Cross through their use. In wartime, volunteer sanitary columns were used to escort hospitals and hospitals. Except in cases, they maintained regular sanitation companies in the theater of war. In peacetime, they were used in accidents and accidents. At the same time, close cooperation was carried out with state and municipal authorities. The training was comparable to today's first aid course. By 1900, Germany had over 900 volunteer medical columns with over 14,000 members. By the time of mobilization in 1914, about 11,500 people were ready for voluntary departure. At the beginning of the century, medical columns merged into regional clubs.
Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a regular eye with a ribbon ring. On the rim with 990 dotted lines.
Front side:
Downside:
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Medal "For 40 years in a volunteer sanitary convoy"
Medal "For 40 years in a volunteer sanitary convoy"
Awards of World War II