Dreissen brothers received Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II

Brothers Jérôme and Léon Dreissen received the Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II in 1920 in honour of their contribution to the Resistance during World War I.

Family history and discoveries through historical newspapers

When searching through historical newspapers during my genealogy research, I found the obituary of my great-great-grandfather Jerome Dreissen. Funnily enough, I did not find the exact date of death, only the date and time of the funeral. More striking was what was written under his name : “Décoré de la Croix de Chevalier de l’Ordre de Léopold II avec rayure d’or”. Again, something I had never heard of. So I looked further, browsing through Belgicapress¹.

What I discovered via Belgicapress is a fascinating Dreissen story that takes place in three parts. You were able to read the first in my previous blog post. Here is the sequel, the second part. The third part I still owe you and will soon follow.

The bold correspondence service of the Dreissen family

At the start of the German occupation in 1914, the Dreissen family had a bold correspondence serviceestablished so that Belgian soldiers at the front could communicate with their loved ones on the home front, either in Belgium or having fled to Holland. The Belgian government and “leading” Belgians in German captivity also used their clandestine mail service.

Their courageous contribution did not go unnoticed, and both brothers received a formal Belgian medal of honour.

Civic Medal 1914-1918 for Léon Dreissen

Léon Dreissen had previously been awarded a Civic Medal of Honour. On August 13, 1919, he, along with several fellow officers at“Bridges and Roads”, was awarded the 1914-1918 Civic Medal 3rd Class. Léon was working as a shipping clerk at the headquarters of Bridges and Roads in 1919.

The 1914-1918 Civic Medal, front and back. Bronze medal with cross and yellow ribbon with the Belgian colours and inscription 1914-1918 - illustration blog post 'Dreissen brothers received Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II' - Eva's Boom — *The Civic Medal 1914-1918*

The Civic Medal is a specific award reserved for officials with 25 years of meritorious service within public administration. In 1915, the 1914-1915 Civic Medal (and later 1918) was established for civilians and non-combatants who had served their country with distinction during World War I.

Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II with gold stripe

Both Dreissen brothers received the Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II shortly after each other in 1920.

By decision of June 16, 1920 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, fishmonger from Sint-Jans-Molenbeek received Jérôme Dreissen received the Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II with ribbon with gold stripe.

And it is the Ministry of Public Works that decides on July 2, 1920 to award the 1914-1918 Civic Medal to Léon Dreissen withdrawn in 1919. In replacement, he receives the hierarchically higher honorary distinction of Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II with ribbon with gold stripe. He has since become second clerk outside management at Bridges and Roads in Brussels.

The Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II with gold stripe (front cover) - illustration blog post 'Dreissen brothers received Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II' - Eva's Boom

The Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II (back) - illustration blog post 'Dreissen brothers received Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold II' - Eva's Boom

The Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II with ribbon with the gold stripe.

The central gold stripe on the ribbon signifies that the award was for an act of exceptional merit during hostilities. (Otherwise, there was only a black stripe.)

The Order of Leopold II was established by the decree of August 24, 1900 and has been part of the Belgian system of orders and decorations since 1908.
It is awarded for merit towards the King or the Royal Household, or as a reward for a certain number of years of service.
The orders are divided into the degrees of Knight, Officer, Commander and Grand Officer and into the titles Grand Cross in the Order of Leopold and in the Order of the Crown, as well as the Grand Ribbon in the Order of Leopold. In addition, there are Palms and Medals.

Personal meaning

What does that actually mean for me personally, this Knight’s Cross in the Order of Leopold II? In the end, it is “just” a medal or a piece of paper, which also eventually faded into oblivion within the family. This is true. And yet.

It is not that medal that makes Jérôme or Léon a bigger hero. No, it is what they did and meant to so many Belgian soldiers, prisoners and loved ones at home and abroad. The correspondence the Dreissen brothers made possible with their families, friends and acquaintances, at the risk of their own lives, was vital to many. Sometimes literally. That rightfully makes them a hero.

Knight or not. Leopold II or not. The names are not important. That Knight’s Cross of the Order of Leopold II with gold stripe is a recognition. And that recognition is as justified as it is beautiful.

29 August 2023