croix de chevalier de l'ordre leopold 2 avec croix de guerre

[dunc 1961]

Hello,
I am a new member, and am reserching my grand father Norman hunt 48 squadron i have nearly all i need but i know its a long shot but i have found in the London Gazzette 15 july 1919 that he received the above medal but is there any way anybody can tell me what he received it for eg a perticular incident /description if any one can i would be eternally grateful

many thanks Duncan McNaught
ps i have his flying map with a round still in it which saved his life

[Graeme]

Duncan

This order was instituted on 24 August 1900 by King Leopold II as an Order for the Congo State. In 1908 it was incorporated into the Belgian awards system as the lowest-ranking of the country’s five Orders.

The original award was known as the Decoration of the Order of Leopold II (Decoration de l'Ordre de Leopold II) and comprised three classes - 1st Class (Gold Cross), 2nd Class (Silver Cross) and 3rd Class (Medals in Gold, Silver or Bronze). A Constitutional Decree of the Independent State of Congo was published on 1 May 1903 that restructured the Order in six classes -

Grootkruis (Grand Cross) – the badge worn on a sash on the right shoulder and the star on the left chest;

(Grootofficier) Grand Officer – the star worn on the left chest;

Commandeur (Commander) - the badge worn on a necklet;

Officier (Officer) - the badge worn on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;

Ridder (Knight) - the badge worn on a ribbon on the left chest.

The ribbon was 36mm wide, dark blue with a 6mm black central stripe; the ribbon of the 1st class award carried a rosette.

The order could be conferred on civilians and on the military, on Belgians and on foreigners. Ostensibly a reward for services to the King, it was in reality a long service award.

Graeme