Stories from the Collection
94/SW/07
Bravery Medal
Tucked away in a corner of the Museum is a small silver painted, wooden frame that holds the contents of a special item. It is a Bravery Medal awarded to F. W. Jantke.Friedrich Wilhelm Jantke and his wife Anna Dorothea nee Schneider, lived in Schonborn, Brandenburg, Prussia. It was this Friedrich Wilhelm Jantke to whom the Bravery Medal was awarded dated 1813 -1814. He was Great-Grandfather to former well known Lobethal resident Friedrich Wilhelm 'Bill' Jantke. The medal, struck from captured enemy French canons was issued to those Prussian soldiers who served in the Wars of Liberation from Napoleon’s rule. Also, the medal is noted for being one of the first Prussian/German medals to feature thecross pattée (Iron Cross) design.