Military Decoration
Decoration Militaire
Initially instituted by royal
decrees of 1841 and 1846, but the award remained dormant until revived by a
further decree of the 22nd December 1873, which gave us the basic
decoration of which we are now familiar. In detail the long running
decoration has been subject to a number of changes since 1873 both in
the award criteria and the minor design variations of the medal
itself, which has created some variety for the collector..
The 1873 Military Decoration was created to reward 10 years
minimum long and good service for warrant officers, NCOs and other
ranks. It could also be awarded for gallantry, devotion to duty,
or exceptional service. This second type is frequently referred to
as an 'Article 4' award after the fourth article in the award
criteria which defines the gallantry (etc.) classification. The
medal was the same for both awards, the two types being identified
by different ribbons (see below).
Men who held the decoration for long service and were later commissioned, would continue to carry the decoration, unless awarded the
Military Cross (officers long
service award), in which case the Military Cross would then replace
their
Military Decoration.
In 1900 the decoration was further subdivided into two
classes by the institution of an upward pointing gilt chevron ribbon
device. ( Long service 1st class award = 15 years service.)
Description: 33mm wide triangular arm cross pattée in a gilt
finish, with the angles infilled with pointed rays. Above is a fixed
Royal crown with a ring suspension. Obverse medallion depicts the
Belgian Lion within a circlet inscribed with the motto L'UNION FAIT
LA FORCE. Reverse medallion depicts the royal monogram and the
inscription ARMEE * MERITE * ANCIENNETE within a circlet. Post
1952 examples have the reverse inscription omitted and a Belgian
lion is now in place of the royal monogram. (see images below)
'Article 4' ribbon, worn on Military
Decorations awarded for gallantry, devotion to duty, or
exceptional service; red with a pair of yellow and black
stripes set in from the edges, yellow outermost. |
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Long Service Ribbon:
repeating red/ yellow/ black/ yellow stripes, 17 total. |
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