Bar of a Mecklenburg Veteran of the Herero Rebellion and the First World War

Photo by C Dale at Swakopmund Museum


The medals on this bar in order of seniority from left to right are-

Prussian Warriors Merit Medal
Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, second class undated
1914-18 Honour Cross for combatants
1904-08 South West Africa Campaign Medal for combatants
Prussian 1897 Wilhelm I Centenary Medal

The original owner of this bar would have been a Mecklenburg solider or sailor who fought in the Herero Rebellion in South West Africa and and later returned to service in the First World War. What makes this bar particularly interesting is the undated Mecklenburg Military Cross. This medal was usually awarded with the date 1900 on the cross for service in the Boxer Rebellion or 1914 for service in the First World War. Undated crosses were awarded for service in colonial campaigns in Africa such as the Herero Rebellion as seen here.

 
     
     

Please contact me here if you have more information on this topic or if you have a medal bar you would like to share. 

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