Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/181

Rh 4. The Medal of Civil Merit.—This medal was founded by Duke Charles II. in the first year of his reign, as was, also,

5. The Medal of Military Merit, founded by him towards the end of his reign to complete the former. But as the first was presented only to three civil officers, and the latter only to two military officers, both can hardly be ranked amongst the really existing Orders or decorations. Both medals were in silver, and worn at the button-hole suspended by a sky blue watered ribbon with a very narrow white border.

6. Crosses for twenty to twenty-five years’ military service, (Tab. II. Nos. 7 and 8).—This, together with some other decorations connected with it, were founded by Duke William, 1st April, 1833. Officers and military officials with that rank, who have served honourably twenty-five years or more, receive a gold cross with purple red chevrons, the white centre of which contains on the front a W with the crown, and on the reverse the number twenty-five. It is worn suspended by a royal blue ribbon with similar borders upon the left breast. It can only be claimed by those who are on active service on the nomination day, which is the 25th April of each year. The Brunswick army counts now forty-five owners of this decoration. A similar cross of silver was also founded for sub-officers and soldiers for twenty-five and twenty years’ uninterrupted and irreproachable service. The centre of the Cross represents on the front a W with the crown, and the reverse the number twenty-five or twenty; it is likewise worn on the left breast by a royal blue ribbon, but with yellow borders. That for twenty-five years service has its centre surrounded by rays. The first twelve oldest owners of the twenty-five years’ cross receive a monthly increase of their pay of one Thaler (3s. 6d.), all the others (not exceeding thirty-six in number) twelve Groschen (1s. 6d.) With the retirement from service the increase ceases.