The Cross was created in 1922 to reward White Finnish volunteer participants in the campaigns in Estonia, Eastern Karelia, Aunus and Ingria (‘Kindred Nations’) against Soviet Russia in the years from 1918 to 1922.

The intervention of Finnish volunteers against Red forces in Estonia was crucial in her gaining independence.  However, despite the upheavals of the Russian revolutions and civil war, there was never any real chance of the other areas to the east or south of Finland becoming independent of Russia.

The number of volunteers involved in the nine campaigns was small and the cross is rare, especially in miniature.