|
 |
|
Obverse |
Reverse |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, GVIR issue |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, GVIR issue
|
Obverse |
A Greek cross similar to the Military Cross with the royal cipher ‘GVIR’ in
the
centre. The arms of the cross are of equal length and straight, with a
slight concave curve to the ends. Round the edges of the arms is a slight
ridge and the
field is raised. Onto this is superimposed another matching cross, but with
no curve at the ends. The arms of the cross have V's inset in their ends and
there is a raised central spine. On the upper arm is the imperial crown,
while each of the other three V's has a maple leaf. A laurel wreath,
comprising three leaves which overlap in each bunch and two bunches of
leaves to each quadrant, appears between the arms of the larger cross. The
gap between the wreath and the cross is segmented. |
|
Reverse |
Plain and flat, with ‘STERLING’ in 1mm high letters and the silver hallmark
on
the bottom of the lower arm. |
|
Size |
32mm x 32mm. |
|
Suspension |
A small ring attached to the top leg of the cross and this ring is attached
to
another 6mm ring through which the ribbon passes. |
|
Composition |
Dull silver. |
|
Designers |
Not known, similar in design to the New Zealand Memorial Cross. |
|
Naming |
The serial number, rank and name of the deceased is engraved on the rear of
horizontal arm of the cross in 2mm high letters on two lines. |
|
Ribbon |
Violet 750mm long and 10.5mm wide, wider ribbons are known to have been
used. |
|
No. of clasps |
None. |
|
Other emblems |
None. |
|
No. issued |
Approx. 500 of all types. |
|
Instituted |
First authorised under the War Measures Act, 5 George V, c.2, 1914, and by
Order in Council of 1 December 1919 ‘to be worn by mothers and wives of
those
soldiers (sailors and airmen) who have died for the country's cause’. |
|
Qualification |
Where there were both a mother and widow, two crosses were issued for each
serviceman. |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, first EIIR issue
 |
|
Obverse |
Reverse |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, EIIR 1st issue |
This cross is exactly the same as the GVIR Memorial Cross except for the
Royal Cipher in the middle:-
|
Obverse |
A Greek cross similar to the Military Cross with the royal cipher ‘EIIR’ in
the
centre. The arms of the cross are of equal length and straight, with a
slight
concave curve to the ends. Round the edges of the arms is a slight ridge and
the
field is raised. Onto this is superimposed another matching cross, but with
no
curve at the ends. The arms of the cross have V’s inset in their ends and
there is a
raised central spine. On the upper arm is the imperial crown, while each of
the
other three V’s has a maple leaf. A laurel wreath, comprising three leaves
which
overlap in each bunch and two bunches of leaves to each quadrant, appears
between the arms of the larger cross. The gap between the wreath and the
cross
is segmented. |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, second EIIR issue
 |
|
Obverse |
Reverse |
CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS, EIIR 2nd issue |
|
Obverse |
A Greek cross similar to the Military Cross with the royal cipher ‘EIIR’ in
the
centre. The arms of the cross are of equal length and straight, with a
slight
concave curve to the ends. Round the edges of the arms is a slight ridge and
the
field is raised. Onto this is superimposed another matching cross, but with
no
curve at the ends. The arms of the cross have V’s inset in their ends and
there is a
raised central spine. On the upper arm is the imperial crown, while each of
the
other three V’s has a maple leaf. A laurel wreath, comprising three leaves
which
overlap in each bunch and two bunches of leaves to each quadrant, appears
between the arms of the larger cross. The gap between the wreath and the
cross is
segmented. |
|
Reverse |
Plain and flat, with ‘STERLING’ in 1mm high letters and the silver hallmark
on
the bottom of the lower arm. |
|
Size |
32mm x 32mm. |
|
Suspension |
A small ring attached to the top leg of the cross and this ring is attached
to
another small ring on a bar, which is the same design as the horizontal arm
of the
cross except it does not have the royal cipher in the middle. |
|
Composition |
Dull silver. |
|
Designers |
Not known, similar in design to the New Zealand Memorial Cross. |
|
Naming |
The serial number, rank and name of the deceased is engraved on the rear of
horizontal arm of the cross. |
|
Ribbon |
None. |
|
No. of clasps |
None. |
|
Other emblems |
None. |
|
No. issued |
Approx. 500 of all types. |
|
Instituted |
First authorised under the War Measures Act, 5 George V, c.2, 1914, and by
Order in Council of 1 December 1919 ‘to be worn by mothers and wives of
those
soldiers (sailors and airmen) who have died for the country's cause’. |
|
Qualification |
Where there were both a mother and widow, two crosses were issued for each
serviceman. |
|
Part of the Red Oblong Network