BACKGROUND: The DRK, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross), was a voluntary civil assistance organization that was originally instituted in 1864 and was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention on July 27TH 1929. On December 9TH 1937 the DRK gained the status of a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany the DRK came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior Social Welfare Organization. Originally shoulder straps and boards worn during the Weimar era were retained in the early period of the Third Reich with modifications in August 1935 and January 1938. The Weimar, 1935 and 1938 pattern shoulder straps for the rank of DRK-Anwärter/Helfer, (Candidate/Helper), remained basically unchanged with the modifications.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Sew on shoulder strap in charcoal grey wool with light grey wool piping. Of Note: The rank of DR-Anwärter/Helfer was basically equivalent to the German military rank of Sanitätssoldat, (Medical Orderly/Private).