- Orderly Medal of the Four Day Marches
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Orderly Medal, Obverse
Orderly Medal, ReverseThe Orderly Medal of the Four Day Marches (In Dutch: Verzorgingsmedaille van der Vierdaagse) is awarded to those who give support to walkers participating in the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen (Vierdaagse in Dutch) held annually at Nijmegen, Netherlands.
It was established in 1965 by the KNBLO, (Koninklijke Nederlandsche Bond Voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding, or Royal Dutch League for Physical Education), who organise the marches.
Contents
Qualification
Orderlies (Verzorgers in Dutch) qualify for the medal when they support a registered marching group during the entire four day march. They do not qualify for the Vierdaagse Cross.
Each registered group is allowed an orderly on a bicycle (not motor assisted) to support them during the marches, carrying food, drink and first aid supplies. To qualify, orderlies must be registered in advance. Groups of between 11–20 participants may register one orderly and groups of 21 or more, a maximum of two. Being an orderly can be hard work. Groups typically march 40 km per day for the 4 days. The team orderly usually cycles about 60 km per day since there are sections of the walking route where cyclists are not allowed as the path is too narrow and crowded.
The conditions of award for orderlies to both civilian groups and military detachments are the same.
The medal is only awarded once. If an orderly qualifies again, the relevant number is attached to the ribbon.
The bronze medal can also be awarded to others who give support to Vierdaagse walkers: In 1968 it was awarded to KNBLO Board member Wim van der Laaken for meritorious service. This was a unique award of the bronze medal, and all later Orderly Medal awards for merit have been in gold or silver.
From 2008, an adult who accompany a child between 12 and 15 years throughout the march and thereby walks less than their own regulation distance also qualifies for the medal, provided they have registered as a companion in advance.
Design
The medal is bronze, with a diameter of 38 mm. It is suspended from a ribbon similar in design to that of the Vierdaagse Cross but with wide blue margins on both sides.
Obverse. The letters “KNBLO” and a small crown.
Reverse. A torch above the inscription "Uw toewijding deed anderen volharden" which translates as "Your dedication made others succeed".
Until 1976 the medals were made by the company of Koninklijke Begeer, when the contract moved to W. van Veluw.
Wearing in military uniform
The medal is not recognised by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and is not approved for wear on Dutch military uniform. The medal and ribbon bar is however sometimes seen mounted with official Dutch medals.
Gold and silver medals
Gold and silver versions of the medal are awarded by the KNBLO to those who have given exceptional service to the Vierdaagse, normally over many years. They are of the same design and size as the bronze medal, and are suspended from the same ribbon. They are made of yellow or white metal and contain no actual gold or silver. Each medal is only awarded once and there is no provision to make further awards.
Fewer than ten gold medals have been awarded to date. These include one in 1999 to Mrs Roos Bos, the wife of the retiring March Leader Chris Bos for ‘support of her husband over a long period’. While the silver medal is more common, fewer than 100 have so far been awarded.
See also
- Cross for the Four Day Marches
- Group Medal of the Four Day Marches
References
- H.G. Meijer, C.P. Mulder en B.W. Wagenaar, "Orders and Decorations of the Netherlands", 1984
- H.G. Meijer en B.W. Wagenaar, "Onderscheidingen, Eretekens en Sportprijzen voor Vaardigheid", 2000
- M.A.A. Schakel, “De Wereld Wandelt”, KNBLO, 1991
- 1951 – 2001 50 Jaar Vereniging Gouden Kruisdragers Vierdaagse, KNBLO, 1993
- W.F. Bax, "Ridderorden, eereteekenen, draagteekens en penningen, betreffende de Weermacht van Nederland en Koloniën (1813-heden)", 1973
External Links
Also a note on the medal on the official Vierdaagse site: http://www.4daagse.nl/en/participation/distance-and-rewards/157-deelnemen-afstanden-en-beloningen-diverse-beloningen.html.
Categories:- Orders, decorations, and medals of the Netherlands
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