Order of the Iron Cross; badge of the 1st Class, 1914-1918

The Iron Cross was a German Army decoration awarded during the Franco-Prussian War, the First World War and the Second World War. This example was obtained by a British officer during the First World War when millions of such medals were awarded to all ranks of German soldiers.

The medal's design can be traced back to the Teutonic crusader knights who fought in Eastern Europe and in the Holy Land. The Iron Cross 1st Class and the Iron Cross 2nd Class were awarded without regard to rank. A soldier had to already possess the 2nd Class in order to receive the 1st Class, although in some cases both could be awarded simultaneously.