Physical Description

A cross pattée with smooth arms and a raised double border, constructed of dark brown war material. The obverse 12 o’clock arm features the crowned monogram ‘CE’, the centre the date ‘1914’, and the 6 o’clock arm a laurel branch. The reverse centre features the Saxon coat of arms. On a loop for suspension, on a yellow ribbon with a black centre, with black outer and green inner borders, the black ones being twice as wide as the green ones.

History

The War Commemorative Cross was instituted by Duke Carl Eduard of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha in 1914. Initially, the plan was for every citizen of Coburg-Gotha who fought in the war to receive the cross. However, the war went on much longer than initially anticipated. Therefore, as of November 12, 1916, the cross was awarded to nurses and other medical staff for merit in war welfare.

In 1922, the cross was reissued in the form of a pinback cross as a commemorative decoration for former soldiers of veterans’ societies.