The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Saxe-Meiningen War Merit Cross. Unnamed as issued. A bronze cross pattée convex within an oak leaf wreath, with a coronet in the void between each of the arms. Aat the top a double sided, hinged crown. Obverse: The letter 'B' on the central medallion. Reverse: The arms of Saxony in the central medallion and the inscription 'FUR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914/15' (For Merit in War 1914/15) around the outside edge. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender attached to the top of the crown and a piece of 32 mm ribbon which has a black centre with yellow side stripes and white edges containing small green squares.
Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen established the War Merit Cross and the War Merit Medal on 7 March 1915, to serve as the duchy's basic award for bravery and military merit, for both combatants and non-combatants. The cross and medal are comparable to the Prussian Iron Cross, but unlike the Iron Cross, rank determined which award one received. The War Merit Cross was a decoration for officers while the War Merit Medal was for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. A total of 4,653 Merit Crosses were awarded and 24,038 awards of the Merit Medal. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.
Saxe-Meiningen Women's Merit Cross. Unnamed as issued. A bronze cross pattée convex surrounded by an oak leaf wreath, with a void between each of the arms. At the top a double sided hinged crown. Obv
Saxe-Meningen War Merit Medal. Unnamed. Obverse: A cross pattée convex with a 'B' in the centre and surrounded by an oak leaf wreath on the circumference. It has a crown on the top arm and coronets be
Saxe-Meiningen Cross for Merit in War. Awarded by the Duke of Sachsen Meiningen to officers who showed special merit. Instituted on 7 March 1915. Bronze cross pattee with curved ends to arms and a duc
Saxe-Weimar Home Service Merit Cross. Unnamed as issued. A blackened zinc passion cross, with slightly widening arms and rounded ends, surmounted by a double sided hinged crown. Obverse: The bust of t
Wurttemburg Merit Cross with Swords. A silver cross pattée convex with gold swords between the arms. Obverse: A crown over 'W' (Wilhelm) on a central disc. Reverse: 'VERDIENST *' on a central disc. Th
Saxe-Ernestine House Order Knights Cross First Class. A Bath cross, enamelled white, with ball end finials surmounted by a double sided crown. Silver lions passant and crossed swords are fitted betwee
