Belgian Order of the Crown, 5th Class

Belgian Order of the Crown, 5th Class. A five pointed star with V-shaped extremities enamelled white and edged gold. Between the arms of the star are golden rays. Obverse: In the centre, on a blue enamelled disc edged in gold with a Royal Crown in gold. Reverse: In the centre, a blue enamelled disc with a face-to-face monogram 'L' (King Leopold II.) The decoration is suspended from a green-enamelled wreath of laurel and oak leaves that has a loose ring for the 39 mm dark red ribbon.

The Order of the Crown was first created in the year 1897 under the authority of King Leopold II . It was originally intended as a reward for service undertaken in the Belgian colony of the Congo Free State. In 1908 the Order of the Crown was made a national decoration of Belgium, to awarded for any service to the Belgian state. The Order of the Crown may also be awarded to foreign nationals. During the Second World War, the Order was awarded to Allied military personnel who had helped to liberate Belgium from Nazi occupation. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.