History

The West Russian Volunteer Army was established in 1919 and made up of German and Russian men, the latter were loyal to the Russian Empire and enemies of the Bolsheviks. They fought in the Baltic region to (unsuccessfully) reinstate the Russian monarchy. Eventually, the army had to retreat to the East German provinces and was finally disbanded in December of 1919. The West Russian Volunteer Army was under the command of Oberst Bermont who later called himself Duke Pavel Avalov.

The Avalov Cross was instituted by Avalov at an unknown date, but probably in October of 1919. After the disbandment of his army, probably in 1920, Avalov instituted the award in a I Class, II Class, and III Class. Both I and II Class could be awarded with and without swords, for soldiers and civilians, respectively. The III Class cross was the same for both groups.

The colours of the ribbon with which the award was worn were dependent on the wearer's nationality. They were black with a thin red and white stripe on one side for German recipients. Russian recipients wore a black ribbon with a thin white/blue/red stripe on one side. At a later date, all colours were combined on one ribbon. Depending on the recipient's nationality, his colours were then worn at the top or on the left (depending on the orientation of the ribbon).

The award is in the form of a silvered cross which is enamelled in black. Above the 12 o'clock arm it features a skull with crossed bones. As mentioned, both I and II Class could feature silvered swords crossed behind the cross. The I Class was worn around the neck, the II Class from a ribbon, and the III Class was pinned to the left breast.