Hof der dingen - Fire Cross card – René Arits

During the World War I, a meticulous record was kept of who served where and for how long at the front. This information was crucial for calculating the compensation that veterans were entitled to from the Belgian government. They initially set aside 150 million Belgian francs for this exact purpose. 

These payments were crucial, as many soldiers returned from the war completely destitute. They had lost their jobs, homes and belongings - others came back wounded or permanently disabled. 

Service at the front was recorded on a so-called Fire Cross Card (Vuurkaart), issued to Belgian army soldiers who served at least 12 months of active duty between August 4, 1914 and November 11, 1918, whether continuously or not. 

The goal was to distinguish between soldiers who had only briefly seen the front and those who had truly endured the horrors of prolonged service. Holders of a fire card were entitled to a vast number of privileges, such as a 75% discount when using the public transportation system in Belgium. They were entitled to free doctor visits and discounted or even free medicine, using special vouchers they had to bring along. The Fire Cross Card also entitled veterans to receive the Fire Cross — a medal awarded to veterans after the war. Ended. 

The Fire Cross Card shown here belonged to René Arits, issued for his military service between 1914 and 1918. Born in 1897 in Bruges, René initially fled to England, but in 1917, he was drafted to fight behind the Yser against the Germans. He served in the infamous Trench of Death (Dodengang) and participated in the Liberation Offensive, which began on 29 September 1918 in Houthulst