{"product_id":"ww1-german-honour-cross-of-the-world-war-1914-1918-next-of-kin-hindenburg-cross","title":"WW1 German Honour Cross of the World War 1914–1918 Next of Kin Hindenburg Cross","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGerman Honour Cross of the World War 1914–1918\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e(Honour Cross without Swords – Black Finish, Next-of-Kin Issue)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eHonour Cross of the World War 1914–1918\u003c\/b\u003e, commonly known as the \u003cb\u003eHindenburg Cross\u003c\/b\u003e, was instituted on \u003cb\u003e13 July 1934\u003c\/b\u003e to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the German people during the First World War. In addition to awards to surviving veterans, the decoration was also presented to the \u003cb\u003ewidows and parents of those who were killed, died of wounds, died in captivity, or were reported missing\u003c\/b\u003e as a result of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThis example is the \u003cb\u003enext-of-kin version\u003c\/b\u003e, distinguished by its \u003cb\u003eblackened finish\u003c\/b\u003e and the \u003cb\u003eabsence of crossed swords\u003c\/b\u003e. Unlike the combatant’s cross, this type features an \u003cb\u003eoak-leaf wreath\u003c\/b\u003e surrounding the central medallion bearing the dates \u003cb\u003e1914 – 1918\u003c\/b\u003e, symbolising endurance and mourning rather than martial service. The reverse is plain, typically with a maker’s mark where present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe cross is suspended from its correct \u003cb\u003ewidows’ and parents’ ribbon\u003c\/b\u003e, displaying the Imperial colours of \u003cb\u003eblack, white, and red\u003c\/b\u003e arranged in the distinctive pattern reserved for next-of-kin awards. These crosses were frequently worn suspended from a ribbon bow and attached to civilian clothing during commemorative events and remembrance ceremonies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eTwo separate certificates (Urkunden) were issued for this class of award:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eEhrenkreuz für Witwen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e (Honour Cross for Widows)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eEhrenkreuz für Eltern\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e (Honour Cross for Parents)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eBetween \u003cb\u003e1934 and 1944\u003c\/b\u003e, several hundred thousand examples were awarded, making this a deeply poignant form of the Honour Cross, representing loss and remembrance rather than service in the field.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eToday, the black Honour Cross remains an important and evocative \u003cb\u003eFirst World War memorial decoration\u003c\/b\u003e, valued by collectors for its clear association with bereavement, commemoration, and the human cost of the Great War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53340233597274,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260115_134052.png?v=1768500292","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/ww1-german-honour-cross-of-the-world-war-1914-1918-next-of-kin-hindenburg-cross","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}