Widows’ and orphans’ funds

Millions of soldiers lost their lives in the Great War. All those who fell had relatives who mourned them. In addition to mourning, the family at home also had a lot of problems with making a living. Donation campaigns were held at the troops for their support. Many badges were specifically aimed at helping the families of dead or disabled soldiers.

One of the main topics in this post is the war monument in Vácrátót. It is a modern design, its concept is far from the heroic spirit of the 1930s. Loss is the main theme here. From a contemporary family photo, the dead paterfamilias is cut out, illustrating the terrible reality of the broken family.

I searched among the cap badges for long until I decided for the badge of the 37th Landwehr Infantry Regiment. The head of the family is also missing from this one, and an angel is trying to comfort the widow and orphan, who are reeling from the death news. Of course, religious faith helped many to endure grief and, not least, to take on the burden of supporting the family. But the death and absence of a beloved husband, brother, or child certainly left a lifelong wound in the souls of the family members.