Prussian Düppel Cross 1864

Prussian Düppel Cross 1864. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattée with an oak leaf wreath between the arms. Obverse: The head of Kaiser Wilhelm facing left in the centre surrounded with 'WILHELM KAISER VON PRUESSEN'. Reverse: A German crowned eagle standing on a cannon with 'DÜPPEL', '18', 'APR and '1864' on the arms of the cross. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 31 mm wide ribbon that has a broad central royal blue band flanked by white and black stripes.

Awarded to Prussian troops who attacked the village of Düppel on 18 April 1864 during the war with Denmark. Düppel was the bridgehead that led to the Island of Alsen in Schleswig. 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.