German Pour Le Merite

Pour Le Merite. A Maltese Cross in blue enamel, edged gold, with a golden eagle between each of the arms. Obverse: A Prussian crown over 'F' at the top, 'Pour Le Mer' across the centre, and 'rite' on the lower arm. Reverse: Plain blue enamel cross. The cross is fitted with a flat gold wire loop suspender ring for attachment to ribbon.

Established in 1667 by Margrave Frederick (later to become King Frederick I), the Orden Pour le Mérite was originally known as the Brandenburg Ordre de la Génerosité. Reorganised by Frederick II in 1740, it became the Orden Pour le Mérite (Order of Merit) and was awarded to military personnel and civilians. The Order was again reorganised in 1810 by Frederick William III who reserved it solely for individual military achievement on the battlefield against the enemy. In 1842, Frederick William IV added a civil class for scholars, painters, sculptors, and musicians. During the First World War it was Prussia's highest military decoration and was awarded to officers for repeated gallantry in action. It was not awarded posthumously and recipients were required to wear the medal whenever they were in uniform.

This 'Blue Max', as they were also known, was collected by Robert Alexander McKillop on the Western Front. McKillop was born in Tumut, NSW on 23 April 1882. He worked as a stock and stallion agent in Cooma, NSW prior to his enlistment for service at the age of 33 years in June 1915. He had also served with an Australian Light Horse Regiment (militia) prior to the First World War, though resigned sometime before the war's outbreak. McKillop embarked for service overseas with 13 Battalion in March 1916 and arrived in France, via Alexandria, in May. In August, McKillop was promoted to the rank of lieutenant before undertaking further training in England. Returning to France and 13 Battalion in July 1917, McKillop was soon after promoted to the rank of captain in August. On 14 July 1918, Captain McKillop was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Hebuterne. There, in March 1918, he had led a successful advance of his company into the village and the night after led an attack which resulted in the capture of 10 enemy prisoners. Captain McKillop returned to Australia in September 1919.

His son Robert Ian, served as a sergeant in the Australian Army during the Second World War; his medals are also held in the Australian War Memorial's collections.