Cross of Merit for Women and Girls

The Cross of Merit for women and young women was donated on 22 March 1871, the Prussian king William I and was awarded to all women who are in self-sacrificing work for the good of the fighting troops and their families during the Franco-German war 1870/71 had been earned.

Order decoration

The religious character resembles that of the Iron Cross. It is made of iron, with a raised silver inner, two -stepped edge, from which the inner is fluted half-round and fine. In the center of the cross is seen on the front of the red enamel Geneva Cross. The back is decorated in the middle of the intertwined initials of the founder and the Queen AW, in the upper cross member with the Prussian crown and the bottom with the years of 1870 · in 1871.

Carrying method

The religious character was worn on the ribbon on the left chest.

Ceremonies

All awards were made on personal proposal of Queen Augusta, which was subsequently confirmed or consummated by the king. The first awards were held on 9 and 26 April, 1871. Are 35 female members of royal families were honored as prominent screen Mistresses of voluntary nursing. The last two ceremonies were held in 1875, although William I had already decided to close on January 3, 1873.

A total of 2,979 awards are documented. Among them are 78 women non-German origin.