Belgium, Kingdom. Two Awards & Decorations

Military Cross (Croix Militaire). Instituted in 1885 (in bronze gilt with black enamels, measuring 39 mm (w) x 63.2 mm (h), intact enamels, large rosette on its original ribbon); and Cross of the Veterans of King Albert I 1909-1934 (Croix des Vétérans du Roi Albert I, 1909-1934). Instituted in 1934 (in bronze gilt, engraver marked "E. d B." on the obverse, measuring 31 mm (w) x 49.5 mm (h), bronze palm on its original ribbon with dual prong pinback). Together, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Military Cross is a military long service decoration of Belgium. It was established by Royal Decree on February 11, 1885 and is awarded to commissioned officers in the Belgian Armed Forces for loyal and uninterrupted service or to Non-Belgian military officers for distinguished service in favor of the Military of Belgium. In regards to the Cross of the Veterans of King Albert I (1875-1934), he ascended the Belgian throne in 1909 and is probably best known for his resistance of the German invasion of 1914 against overwhelming odds, for leading his army through the Battle of Yser and back into Brussels to a hero’s welcome in 1918.