The German Life Saving Society (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-

Gessellschaft E. V.) A Brief History and Some New

Commemorative Medals.

Jack Boddington

To familiarize the reader with the DLRG, a brief history is in order. The Society was formed before World War I in 1913, as an offshoot of the (at that time) German Swimming League. As with most emerging life saving societies of that era, the main purpose was to train individuals in life saving in the event of aquatic emergencies.

After some twenty years of life saving instruction, the President of the DLRG, on September 25, 1933, placed the Society under the control of the office of the Reich Sports Leader, where it remained until after World War II. From the outset a series of awards were instituted and, with comparatively few changes, have remained in existence to the current time.

The most senior award is The Lifesaving Badge and it is described in John Angolia’s Political and Civil Awards of the Third Reich as follows:

"A badge was awarded for saving the life of an endangered person in the water. Presentation was made by the President of the DLRG, George Har. Inasmuch as the purpose of the DLRG was to train persons in water lifesaving, such an act by qualified members did not merit the award of the Lifesaving Medal or Medallion (of the Third Reich.)

Thus the organization recognized heroism by its own members by presenting them a silver oval badge (Figure 1) measuring 57mm wide by 40mm high. It depicted a partially flying eagle with its feet on the ground - symbolic of the earth-water relationship. The initials ’DLRG’ rested on the waves of the water. The entire badge was encircled by an oakleaf wreath. The badge was worn on the lower left breast."

Originally the badges were serial numbered but the numbering system has not been used for many years. In fact the purpose of this badge changed following World War II and was (and still is) issued as the highest proficiency award of the DLRG in two grades, Gold and Silver.

Figure 1: Lifesaving Badge of the DLRG.

The badge was also approved for wear on a ribbon bar, the ribbon being in the Olympic colors of red, green, wide black, yellow and light blue (Figure 2.) A label ’stick pin’ in reduced size was also issued to recipients (Figure 3.)

Figure 2: The Badge on the Ribbon Bar

Figure 3: Lapel ’Stick Pin’ of the Badge.

Figure 4: Ordinary Member’s Badge of the DLRG

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The ordinary member’s badge of the DLRG has a design that is similar to the design of the Lifesaving Badge but with the word GRUNDSCHEIN on the upper wreath (Figure 4).

A Merit Badge, in gold, silver or bronze may be awarded for services to the DLRG, consisting of a stick pin badge

with the Society eagle standing on a bar carrying the let- ters DLRG thereon and surrounded by a circular wreath, tied at the bottom and open at the top.

The author was awarded the Merit Badge in Bronze in 1978 and in Gold in 1981. The diploma (Figure 5) and the gold badge (Figure 6) are illustrated.

DEUTSCHE LESENS-RETTUNGS.GESELLSCHAFT E.V.

Ve~ienstzei~en in Gold

I ~ Ill II

Figure 5: Diploma of the Merit Badge in Gold

30 JOMSA

Figure 6: Merit Badge in Gold

In more recent years members of the DLRG branch in Barmer launched a project commemorating various mile- stones in the development of bathing. As part of this project three medals were created, each commemorating a particular aspect of bathing and were made available as souvenirs to participants in the project. The medals are in bronze, 50mm in diameter, and suspended from a neck cord in either white and blue or white and red. All three medals have the same obverse (Figure 7) that may be roughly translated as DLRG BARMER SWIM TO- GETHER AND STAY FIT. Each reverse illustrates a particular event related to historic bathing: a change house on the English coast (Figure 8); the hot tub (Fig-

ure 9); and the Footbath Institute of Dr. Ferro in Vienna (Figure 10).

Figure 8: ’Change House on the English Coast’ Reverse.

Figure 9: ’The Hot Tub’ Reverse

Figure 7: Obverse of DLRG bathing medals. Figure 10: ’Footbath Institute of Dr. Ferro’ Reverse

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