Belgian Croix de Guerre with silver palm : Gunner J R Ford, Royal Artillery

Belgian Croix de Guerre with a silver palm. A double sided bronze bath cross with a pivoting crown suspension and crossed swords positioned between the arms. The obverse central medallion depicts the Belgian lion rampant. The reverse medallion bears King Albert's royal monogram 'A'. The loose ring suspender is attached to the orb of the crown and the 38 mm ribbon is red with five green stripes, three grouped more centrally. A silver palm with a central 'A' is pinned to the ribbon.

The Belgium Croix de Guerre could only be earned by foreign nationals for acts of heroism conducted while on Belgian soil. This example was awarded to L/11349 Gunner John Ralph Ford, 152nd Brigade, Royal Artillery, a unit of the "New Army". Gunner Ford was also mentioned in despatches "for gallant and distinguished services in the field". In the mid 1920s John Ford emigrated to Australia but returned to England shortly afterwards leaving his medals in Australia with his sister.
The cross was instituted 25th October 1915 to reward acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, it could also being awarded for long service at the front. Bronze, silver and silver-gilt palmes and lion ribbon emblems were awarded for various categories of Mention in Dispatches - five bronze being replaced by a silver emblem etc. in a similar fashion to the French Croix de Guerre. Various later decrees modified (expanded) the award criteria to include those died of wounds, escaped prisoners, certain volunteers, etc.