Refreshment Service Crew

Post by my friend Gábor Csiszér.

One of the main means of transport during World War I was the railway. Its application aimed not only the rapid movement of the forces, the delivery of troops and their weapons to their destination but also to serve as the fastest return of the wounded to the hinterland. In the Monarchy it was developed based on the experience of the Prussian army. Prussia already used the railway as a means of military transport means in the Prussian-French war of 1870-71.

The K.u.K. Army began to use it from 1878, and in 1911, hospital trains and patient transport trains were already put into service. There were doctors, pharmacists and nurses on the trains. Their work was supported by care services when rolled into the stations, to which the Red Cross also joined. This kind of help was provided by the Railway Refreshment Service of the Red Cross Society of the Countries of the Hungarian Holy Crown.

The scene depicted on the postcard was almost “copied” on the beautifully detailed badge.