Lint voor Verwonding facts for kids
The Lint voor Verwonding (Wound Riband) is a special South African military award. It was created on 21 December 1920. This award was given to Boer soldiers and officers who fought in the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and were wounded during the fighting.
Quick facts for kids Lint voor Verwonding |
|
|---|---|
The Lint voor Verwonding, as worn by Captain C.J. Lourens DTD of the Union Defence Forces, former Assistant Field Cornet and Adjutant of Wakkerstroom Commando during the Anglo-Boer War. The awards depicted are the Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst, Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog, Lint voor Verwonding, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, the last two mounted with reverse displayed.
|
|
| Country |  South Africa |
| Type | Riband |
| Eligibility | Boer military veterans |
| Awarded for | Being wounded on active service |
| Campaign(s) | 1899–1902 Anglo-Boer War |
| Status | Discontinued in 1946 |
| Clasps | None |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1920 |
| South African order of wear | |
| Next (higher) |  Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog |
| Next (lower) |  King's South Africa Medal |
  SAR and OFS riband bar orientations |
|
Contents
Why the Award Was Created
The Lint voor Verwonding was officially named the Lint voor Verwonding Opgedaan Gedurende de Anglo-Boeroorlog, 1899–1902. This means "Riband for Wounds Sustained During the Anglo-Boer War, 1899–1902". It was announced on 21 December 1920.
The award was for Boer officers and soldiers who were wounded in battle. They served in the forces of the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. These two Boer Republics fought against the British in the Second Boer War, from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902.
Fairness for Boer Veterans
The Boer Republics did not have their own official awards during the war. After the war, when the Union Defence Forces (UDF) were formed in 1912, many Boer veterans joined.
In 1913, a military leader named Colonel Skinner noticed something unfair. Some officers who had fought bravely for the Boers had no medals. But their fellow officers who had fought for the British side had many.
Colonel Skinner asked the Defence Headquarters to fix this. However, the First World War started, so nothing happened right away. Finally, in 1920, three awards were created for Boer veterans: the Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst, the Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog, and the Lint voor Verwonding. This made sure Boer veterans were recognized, just like those who fought on the British side.
Who Could Receive the Award?
To get the Lint voor Verwonding, a veteran had to meet certain rules:
- They had to have been wounded while fighting for the Boer forces.
- This had to happen between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902.
- They also had to be serving in the Union Defence Forces at the time of application. Or, they had to be available to be called up for service.
How the Award Was Worn
The Lint voor Verwonding is a campaign award. This means it was given for taking part in a specific military campaign or war. Even though it doesn't come with a medal, it was worn like a medal ribbon.
South African Order of Wear
In South Africa, military awards are worn in a specific order. The Lint voor Verwonding is worn after the Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog. It is worn before the King's South Africa Medal.
.png){kind=small}
- It comes after the Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog.
- It comes before the King's South Africa Medal.
What the Award Looks Like
The Lint voor Verwonding came with a printed certificate.
The first certificates were simple. They were filled out by hand with the recipient's name, rank, and which Boer force they served with. They also had a file number.
Later certificates were more decorative. They had a colourful picture of the riband on them. These certificates had the name of the Boer force pre-printed.
The riband itself is about 38 millimetres wide. It has colours from the two former Boer Republics. The colours are red, green, white, blue, and orange. However, the orange colour often looks yellow on the actual ribbons.
- For a veteran of the South African Republic, the riband has a narrow red band, a wide green band, a white band, a wide orange band, and a narrow blue band.
- For an Orange Free State veteran, the riband is worn reversed. This means the blue band is on the left side.
When the Award Ended
The deadline to apply for the Lint voor Verwonding was originally 30 June 1921. But this rule was not strictly followed.
At first, the rules for getting the award were very strict. They sometimes excluded people who fought for the Boers, like members of foreign units or rebels from Natal and the Cape. Later, the rules became less strict. To qualify, an applicant just needed to prove they fought against the British. They also had to show they did not surrender or take an oath to the British before 31 May 1902, and that they were wounded in action.
In total, 1,060 Lint voor Verwonding certificates were given out. The last award was made on 3 November 1949.
