Greek War Cross 1916-1922

Place Europe: Greece
Accession Number RELAWM14829
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Award
Physical description Silver-plated metal
Maker Unknown
Place made Greece
Date made c 1917
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Greek War Cross 1916-1922 (Third Class). Unnamed as issued. Obverse: A wreath of laurel upon a horizontal swallow tail ended tablet, inscribed 'H TAN H ERI T AS' on two lines with a broad bladed sword, point upwards, in the centre. Reverse: Plain with the inscription 'E^^ AS 1916 - 1917' on two lines across the centre banner. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 38 mm black ribbon that has 5 mm blue edges.

History / Summary

First instituted in 1917 by El Venizelos as an unofficial award to the Greek Nationalist troops, this medal was later officially recognized. It was first awarded for bravery in the field, but was afterwards granted for war service in general. There are three classes of the cross awarded according to merit rahter than rank. The First Class has a gold wreath on the ribbon; the Second Class a silver wreath and the Third Class a plain ribbon. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.

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