The Cross of Charity or Mercy

• Time Period: World War I
• Institution: 1912
• Country: Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Serbia (Other Countries)

The Cross of Charity or Mercy is a decoration established in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by King Peter I of Serbia on 7 (19) June 1913. Peter I was the king of Serbia during a period of great Serbian military success, he was remembered by the Serbian people as King Peter the Liberator, and also known as Old King.

The medal was to be awarded to men or women in or out of the military who aided victims of the 1912-13 First Balkan War (which lasted from October 8, 1912 to May 30, 1913), the sick and wounded. It could be awarded to Serbians and non-Serbians alike, to military and civilians, and to Red Cross volunteers. 

During the Balcan War, foreign awards could be granted for service in a red cross or medical capacity. Many women who served with the French or the Serbs were awarded decorations, although there is no gazette entry for them.

The Cross of Charity or Mercy Design

The Cross was manufactured by Arthus Bertrand of Paris and Huguenin Frères of Le Locle, Switzerland. It is made in bronze gilt maltese cross with a loop for ribbon suspension and red and black enamels and measures 39.7 mm.

The obverse bears a central circular red enamel medallion with the inscription in gilt letters ‘For Mercy‘ and circumscribed “For Tending the Wounded and the Sick 1912″.

The reverse shows the Serbian royal arms and the eagle with a fleur de lis beneath its claws.

Men and women versions of this medal are differentiated only by the suspension; a classical light-blue triangular one for men, and a ribbon in a bow shape of the same color for women (although this was not always the case).