Bronze Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross : Captain F A Comins, Army Dental Corps

Bronze Jerusalem Pilgrim’s Cross unnamed as issued in brown presentation case. In the centre of the medal is a depiction of Pope Leo XIII with the surrounding Latin inscription ‘LEO XIII CREAVIT ANNO MCM’ (Leon XIII created in 1900). On the four arms of the cross are four circular biblical scenes illustrating Annunciation, the Nativity, the Baptism of Jesus and the Eucharist with the inscription ‘CHRISTI AMOR CRUCIFIXI TRAXIT NOS’ (Christ’s love attracted us). On the reverse, in the centre, is an image of the Risen Christ. On the four arms of the cross are images of: Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, flagellated, crowned with thorns and attached to the cross. ‘SIGNUM SACRI ITINERIS HIEROSOL’ (Sign of the holy voyage of Jerusalem).

At the beginning of the 20th century, Pope Leo XIII, who blessed and encouraged pilgrims to Jerusalem wanted to give them evidence of his approval in a way that would also be a special, personal souvenir of their voyage. To this end, he instituted a religious decoration by decree on May 2, 1901.
The decoration took the form of a cross in bronze, silver or gold. One pilgrimage is recognised by the award of a bronze cross, two by a silver cross, and three or more by a gold cross.

This cross was issued to Captain Francis (Frank) Aloysius Comins. Comins was a senior cadet corporal in 1910 and was selected to join the contingent that travelled to England for the coronation of George V in 1911, and later became an officer in the Reserve Forces. He was made an Honorary Lieutenant in the AIF on 1 March 1916 and posted overseas with Camel Corps Reinforcements on 17 February 1917. Arriving in Suez on 4 April Comins remained in the Middle East for the duration of the war. A dentist prior to enlistment Comins was posted to the Australian Army Medical Corps on 15 May and became attached to No 6 Dental Unit on 20 May. He also saw service with Dental Unit, Abbassia and 71 Dental Unit. He returned to Australia on 25 December 1918 and was discharged on 8 May 1919.

Comins was mentioned in despatches on 5 March 1919, 'for gallant and distinguished services in the Field', and awarded an OBE (military) on 3 June 1919, for meritorious services in Palestine.