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What shape is this medal?

This medal is not a plain circle because it has a special scalloped edge that looks like a flower. On the front, there is a proud lion wearing a soldier's helmet to show Belgium’s strength. King Albert I picked this unique design on July 21, 1919, to honor the duty of everyone who served during the four hard years of the Great War.

How did soldiers show they were wounded?

If a soldier was hurt in a fight, they could add a tiny red enamel cross to their ribbon. This small pin stood out against the fabric to show their great sacrifice. It helped other people see that this person had been wounded while protecting their country during the war.

What did the front line bars represent?

Veterans added thin metal bars to their ribbons to mark the time they spent in the dangerous front lines. Each bar stood for a specific year of service in the trenches between 1914 and 1918. These bars told a proud story of how long a soldier stayed in the most difficult parts of the war.

What colors are on the ribbon?

The ribbon uses bright blue, yellow, and red to match the colors of the national flag of Belgium. These colors were a sign of pride for all the people who fought for their home. Because so many citizens served in the war, these ribbons were worn by people all over the country during the 1920s and 1930s.

Could nurses receive this medal?

Yes, brave military nurses were also given this medal for their service. They took care of the wounded soldiers throughout the fighting from 1914 to 1918. Their work was seen as just as important as the duty of the soldiers, so they were awarded the exact same medal to honor their help.

What shape is this medal?

This medal is not a plain circle because it has a special scalloped edge that looks like a flower. On the front, there is a proud lion wearing a soldier's helmet to show Belgium’s strength. King Albert I picked this unique design on July 21, 1919, to honor the duty of everyone who served during the four hard years of the Great War.

How did soldiers show they were wounded?

If a soldier was hurt in a fight, they could add a tiny red enamel cross to their ribbon. This small pin stood out against the fabric to show their great sacrifice. It helped other people see that this person had been wounded while protecting their country during the war.

What did the front line bars represent?

Veterans added thin metal bars to their ribbons to mark the time they spent in the dangerous front lines. Each bar stood for a specific year of service in the trenches between 1914 and 1918. These bars told a proud story of how long a soldier stayed in the most difficult parts of the war.

What colors are on the ribbon?

The ribbon uses bright blue, yellow, and red to match the colors of the national flag of Belgium. These colors were a sign of pride for all the people who fought for their home. Because so many citizens served in the war, these ribbons were worn by people all over the country during the 1920s and 1930s.

Could nurses receive this medal?

Yes, brave military nurses were also given this medal for their service. They took care of the wounded soldiers throughout the fighting from 1914 to 1918. Their work was seen as just as important as the duty of the soldiers, so they were awarded the exact same medal to honor their help.

Home Library BelgiumCommemorative Medal of the 1914–1918 War

Campaign medal

Commemorative Medal of the 1914–1918 War

A campaign medal awarded to all Belgian military members who served during the First World War.

Belgium Established 1919 All servicesPrecedence: Worn following specific battle honors like the Yser Medal.

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for honorable military service in the Belgian armed forces during World War I.

Eligibility

All Belgian soldiers, sailors, and military nurses who served between 1914 and 1918.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn following specific battle honors like the Yser Medal.

Commemorative Medal of the 1914–1918 War, Campaign medal, Belgium medal

History

Established on July 21, 1919, by King Albert I, this medal honored every Belgian who served during the Great War. Belgium spent nearly the entire war fighting to defend and reclaim its territory. The government wanted an official medal to recognize the shared duty of all its service members.

The medal has a distinctive scalloped shape with a helmeted Belgian lion on the front. Veterans could add small silver crowns for volunteers or red enamel crosses for wounds received in action. Metal bars across the ribbon marked years spent at the front lines.

Because so many citizens fought or suffered during the four-year occupation, this became one of the most widely worn medals in Belgium during the 1920s and 1930s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

World War I

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Gaston Braun, including Military Decoration for Exceptional Service or Acts of Courage or Devotion, Yser Medal, Commemorative Medal of the 1914–1918 War, Order of Leopold II, Order of the Crown, shown against a light Belgium flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

WWI

Military Decoration for Exceptional Service or Acts of Courage or Devotion Yser Medal Commemorative Medal of the 1914–1918 War+2

Gaston Braun

Who Was Major General Gaston Braun?

A distinguished Belgian commander who served with distinction during the First World War.

Belgium1914-1918

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Sources

Back to Belgium