Offered for auction is a Het Kruis van Verdienste van de Nederlandse Bond van Vrijwillige Burgerwachten, introduced in 1924. In the First World War, the Dutch government tried to maintain order with the help of a mobilized army, a Landweer consisting of reservists, the land storm and volunteer vigilantes. This cross was an award to those who performed outstanding services. This medal is not often seen for sale! See also our other interesting WW2 items, including Dutch May 1940, that we have on offer on catawiki! History of the medal The Cross of Merit of the Dutch Association of Volunteer Civil Guards was established in 1924 by the board of the Dutch Association of Volunteer Civil Guards for "extraordinary merits or outstanding services to the Civil Guards in the Netherlands". In the First World War, the Dutch government tried to maintain order with the help of a mobilized army, a Landweer consisting of reservists, the land storm and volunteer vigilantes. The government was sparing with awards; there was a Mobilization Cross 1914-1918 that was established six years after the war, but many volunteers and conscripts went home empty-handed and lapeled. Private individuals such as the aforementioned association filled the gap with awards such as The Commemorative Medal Fort Honswijk 1914-1915 The Cross for former demobilized persons 1914-1918 of the Amsterdam Voluntary Civil Guard The White Mobilization Cross 1914-1918 The Mobilization Cross 1914-1918 of the National Committee for the Commemoration of Mobilization 1914-1918 and the award described on this page. These six decorations were not allowed to be worn by soldiers. The Cross of Merit of the Dutch Association of Voluntary Civil Guards The decoration is a five-armed cross with a width of 37 millimeters. The abbreviation "N B V B W" is placed on the arms of the silver cross. In the center of the cross is a round shield depicting a climbing lion with a sword and bundle of arrows, as in the national coat of arms. The cross has been given a special elevation by Dutch standards. The association that granted this decoration lacked the designation "Royal" and therefore did not use a royal bracket crown. Instead, a silver Roman city crown or wall crown was chosen, from which the cross hangs with two chains. The crown is attached to the ribbon with a clasp. This clasp is placed at the back of the crown and the crown covers the bottom of the ribbon. The ribbon is 37 millimeters wide and divided into five equal strips of white, light blue, white, light blue and white silk. There are no rosettes, clasps, stars or crowns to wear on the ribbon. A Medal for Special Dedication of the Dutch Association of Voluntary Civil Guards was also established in 1924 for slightly less highly regarded merit and "meritorious deeds"