Arbeitsdank in Gold

[Gwar]

Hello, what is the common consensus concerning the background and issuance of the Arbeits Dank (Work Thanks) in Gold ?

[thecyclist64]

I believe that the gold/orange is in the Huesken catalogue if that means anything. There seems to be a lot of them about on the web

[thecyclist64]

plenty of examples over on GMIC without any complaints regarding authenticity

Arbeits Dank - Page 2 - Germany: Third Reich: Organisational Membership Badges & Tinnies - Gentleman's Military Interest Club

[Gwar]

Many thanks for the response thecyclist64, this will be one of the topics in our publication (next year), I have no doubt that the Golden Arbeits Dank were original, I am trying to invalidate a few misconceptions of this item. G

[Reinhard2]

I think that the golden ones were for members who paid a higher contribution like those from Franken from which bronze, silver and gold existed.

[Gwar]

Reinhard2, many thanks for your contributions to the thread, I'm not familiar with the concept of three classes, (bronze, silver and gold), just the (2) two styles often seen, unless you mean the color of the text, the manufacturers process and font are not mutually consistent and differ from one another, and there are a few variants usually with the lapel stick pin type as well.

[Gwar]

Google translator can be trying at times, so please forgive any misrepresentations,
According to this newsprint dated 21.10.35, it would seem that the Arbeitsdank was given at the end of service, at least in this instance.

Cherish the spade

Appeal during dismissal of workers

21.10.35
Tomorrow, Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., there will be a radio broadcast throughout Germany, in which Reich Labor Leaders will dismiss the thousands of departing labor service men with a speech.

At the same time, this address also applies to the members of the Arbeitsdank.

At the dismissal roll call, the departing workers are to be given the labour gratitude needle. (Arbeitsdank pin)

On this occasion, the leader of the Arbeitsdank organization, Oberarbeitsführer v. Hertzberg, will make an appeal to the young workmen.

He points out that it is precisely those men and girls who are returning to the working life of the German people who are the bearers of the idea of the labor service.

The appeal concludes with the words: 'Hold fast to the tradition of the labour service, in which the spade has become a symbol for us, which must never rust, but must always be bare in the service of the people and the homeland'

[Gwar]

An article with some pertinent information about the 'Golden Pin' dated 22.5.35

Thanks to work is the people's duty

Faith in the community must be preserved

The Arbeitsdank publishes the following appeal:

In addition to the membership of all active leaders and workmen, all those whose sons and daughters are or have been in the labor service are to come.
All those who feel inwardly connected with the labor service and who affirm the educational school of our leader in the labor service belong to us as supporting members.

Youth need the experience of parents and old age needs fellowship with youth.
This compensation is supplemented by the connection of the active with the supporting members in the labor service.
At the comradeship evenings, age and youth are to go hand in hand with youth in order to cultivate tradition.
Those who believe that they cannot take part in the active events for professional reasons help to alleviate the red of their comrades through material sacrifices.
The first task of the Arbeitsdank is to maintain faith in the community.
The duties of the work thanks of the large self-help organization of the labor service is enormous (in the Gau Halle-Merseburg, for example, 30,000 active workers and thanksgiving comrades have to be looked after) and extends to the following tasks for the active labor service comrades;

a) Hospital care by paying pocket money during illness.
b) Treatment by the Adolf Hitler donation
c) Assistance to needy relatives of the work service comrade during the service period
d) Implementation of pension proceedings
e) Accommodation of disabled persons in a permanent position, and, if necessary, recognition as persons with suspension
f) Grave care

For those who have left and those who are leaving comrades, the Arbeitsdank now has to fulfill the following expenses:

a) Accommodation in work and bread, if possible in old occupation, in cooperation with the competent employment offices
b) Vocational guidance, retraining, especially in the context of restructuring and the supply of new workers to the country
c) Migrant welfare by re-settling comrades in their home district (food, fare, overnight stay)
d) Procurement of workwear
e) Issuance of loans for the establishment of an establishment through the Arbeitsdank savings account (three-fold payment and 1/2 percent higher interest than normal)
At the last dismissal on April 1, 1935, 30,000 cards "The 10 Commandments for Dismissal in Labor Districts 13, 14, 15, 16 and 23 were issued.

The 9th commandment of this is: 'Greet also the members with the golden work thanksgiving pin! They are your best friends as promoters of work thanks'
As an external symbol for sponsors, the same badge of honour in gold is awarded instead of the red-enamelled work thanksgiving pin (for active comrades).
In order for every fellow citizen to be able to come to us, the amount of the membership fee is at the discretion of the individual and is based on the financial assets'

Everyone may decide what the thanksgiving for work is worth to him as a people's thanksgiving. Fördener and the formerly active comrades, especially those who have moved from foreign districts and do not yet belong to a membership, get some art and report to the local memberships
(local groups) or at the district office of the Arbeitsdank. Come to us all Help and let us help you.


So, it would appear that the 'Golden Pin' was for financial supporters.

'Greet also the members with the golden work thanksgiving pin! They are your best friends as promoters of work thanks'
As an external symbol for sponsors, the same badge of honour in gold is awarded instead of the red-enamelled work thanksgiving pin (for active comrades).
In order for every fellow citizen to be able to come to us, the amount of the membership fee is at the discretion of the individual and is based on the financial assets'

Thanks to those who have read the thread, G