Updated: 27 May, 2006

Britain - Orders

The Most Noble Order of the Garter

• Order of the Garter Cabinet Office The Most Noble Order of the Garter Order of the Garter The Monarchy Today Knights of the Garter, 1348-present - List of Recipients François Velde Sep 02

   

• Former PM receives UK's highest honour The Queen has appointed former Conservative prime minister John Major as a Knight of the Garter. The former Huntingdon MP becomes the third ex-premier to receive the Order of the Garter, England's highest chivalric honour. The order already includes Baroness Thatcher and Sir Edward Heath, two other ex-Tory leaders. Mr Major's appointment comes after fellow holder of the honour, ex-Labour premier Lord Callaghan, passed away. The Queen has also named Sir Winston Churchill's 82-year old daughter, Lady Soames, as a Lady of the Garter and former lord chief justice Lord Bingham of Cornhill. dehavilland.co.uk 23 Apr 05

• Queen honours her sons during birthday gala Britain's Queen Elizabeth II knighted her two youngest sons during a church ceremony on Sunday, part of ongoing celebrations to mark her 80th birthday. With their newly awarded knighthoods, Princes Andrew, 46, and Edward, 42, join the rest of the immediate royal family in holding Order of the British Empire titles. iol.co.za 24 Apr 06

  • Queen honours Andrew and Edward The Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex have been made Royal Knights of the Garter by the Queen. Andrew and Edward were both appointed to the most senior British order of chivalry on St George's Day amid a weekend of celebrations to mark the Queen's 80th birthday. It recognises their seniority within the Royal Family. The Order of the Garter, established by Edward III in 1348, is in the Queen's personal gift, without advice from government ministers. Knights of the Garter are chosen to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. The Duke and the Earl, the Queen's middle and youngest sons, are now Royal Knight Companions. Their appointments are additional to the established number of 24 Knight Companions. The two royals now join their father the Duke of Edinburgh, brother the Prince of Wales and sister Princess Royal in the Order. Philip was created a Royal Knight in 1947 - the year he married Princess Elizabeth. Charles was appointed in 1958, the Duke of Kent in 1985, Anne in 1994, the Duke of Gloucester in 1997 and Princess Alexandra in 2003. The non-royal members of the Order include former Prime Ministers Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major. guardian.co.uk 23 Apr 06

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle

• The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle Cabinet Office The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle Order of the Thistle The Monarchy Today Highest honour for Sutherland One of Scotland’s leading academics was given the country’s highest award by the Queen to mark St Andrew’s day. Former vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, was made a Knight of the Thistle. The Provost of Eton College, Dr Eric Anderson, received the honour along with Lord Sutherland. The prestigious knighthoods, which are in the Queen’s personal gift, are traditionally conferred on St Andrew’s Day. (Dec 02) Catholics 'excluded' from roll of honour The Scottish Catholic church has demanded an inquiry into an ancient system of patronage which they claim leaves the Queen open to accusations of sectarian bias.  The row began when the church questioned whether the Queen had ever bestowed the highest honour in her gift, the Order of the Thistle, on a Catholic. When the palace confirmed she had not, the church’s official spokesman said the Queen’s advisers owed Scottish Catholics an explanation and described the situation as ‘worrying and regrettable’. Last night, Buckingham Palace insisted the failure to make any Scottish Catholic a member of the Order of the Thistle was pure coincidence. Scotland on Sunday, UK March 2003

• Scot Lords to receive top honour Two leading Lords are to be awarded Scotland's highest honour by the Queen. Former Presiding Officer Lord Steel and ex-Nato Secretary-General Lord Robertson are to become Knights of the Thistle. Lord Steel of Aikwood, a former TV journalist, was leader of the Liberal Party from 1976 to 1988, when he was co-founder of the Social and Liberal Democrats, forerunner of the Liberal Democrats. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, was Labour defence secretary from 1997 to 1999, after which he became Secretary-General of Nato in Brussels. news.bbc.co.uk 30 Nov 04

   

The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick

• Order of St. Patrick   The Monarchy Today

   

• Order of the Bath (Cabinet Office) Order of the Bath (The Monarchy Today) Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun 99) Order of the Bath Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 2000 (BBC) Order of Bath etc Order of the Bath (BBC) Order of the Bath (Companion III Class, Civil, Type I) (Photo) (Sydney B. Vernon) Sir Alexander Colin Cole (KCB, KCVO, Garter King of Arms in 1972-1992) Broken Links - Posted for information purposes only: William Stephens, CB has died aged 88 (Aeronautical scientist responsible for Britain's post-war development of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) technology, guided weapon systems and space launch vehicles)

   

The Order of Merit

• Order of Merit Cabinet Office Order of Merit The Monarchy Today Sir George Edwards, OM, CBE has died aged 94 Guiding light in the postwar British aircraft industry whose achievements are an indelible part of world aviation history. Appointed MBE in 1945; CBE in 1952; and was knighted in 1957. Awarded the George Taylor Gold Medal (1948); the British Gold Medal for Aeronautics (1952); the Daniel Guggenheim Medal (1959); and the Royal Medal of the Royal Society (1974). More - Valiant More Order of Merit Pinetreeweb

   

The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India

• The Order Of The Star Of India was an order of knighthood instituted in February 1861, to commemorate the direct assumption of the government of India by Queen Victoria, and subsequently enlarged in 1866, 1875, and 1876. The award was conferred for services rendered to the Indian Empire and consisted of three classes: 1) Knights Grand Commanders (G.C.S.I.) of which there were thirty members, eighteen native and twelve European, excluding the Governor-General; 2) Knights Commanders (K.C.S.I.) of which there were seventy-two; 3) Companions (C.S.I.) of which there were 144. Ref: probertencyclopaedia.com

• Miniature of the Order of the Star of India A very old miniature in gold, silver, enamel and cameo dating from the origins of the order. Ref: antiquesatoz

Order of St. Michael and St. George

• UK civilians honoured for Iraq work More than 50 British civilians have been honoured for their work helping reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The honours list, which awards 41 men and 10 women, recognises work carried out in Iraq since January 2003. Three diplomats received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and Saint George. The prime minister's office confirmed that Dominic Asquith had been made a CMG for the "crucial political role" he played in post-war Iraq as deputy head of the UK mission in Baghdad. Henry Hogger, the former governorate co-ordinator in Basra and Paul Harvey, governorate co-ordinator in Kirkuk were also made CMGs. The Iraqi football team's manager Mark Clarke was awarded an MBE for his work in helping the team to reach the Olympic semi-finals in Athens. Pentonville Prison Governor Gareth Davies was awarded an OBE for work carried out in his former role as director of law and order for southern Iraq. Mandana Hendessi also received an OBE for helping to establish the women's rights group, the Women's Higher Council in Iraq. Others who were honoured in the list include Chief Superintendent Philip Read of West Yorkshire Police, who received an OBE for his work in helping to train the new Iraqi police force. dehavilland.co.uk 4 Dec 04

• Order of St. Michael and St. George (Cabinet Office) Order of St. Michael and St. George (The Monarchy Today) Investiture of H. R. H. Prince Arthur With the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (1870) (Lithograph) Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun 99) Order of St Michael and St George Knight Grand Cross of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George Awarded to Eduard Shevardnzdze, President of Georgia - Queen's staff lose Knight's Medal – The Queen was embarrassed by her staff last week after they mislaid an honour due to be presented at court to Eduard Shevardnadze, the president of Georgia and the former Soviet foreign minister.  She had to admit to Shevardnadze that her officials could not find the elaborate insignia of an honorary knighthood of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, which she was due to bestow on him. As Shevardnadze, 71, accompanied by his wife, approached the suite where the Queen was to make him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order on Wednesday, she called upon a page to bring her the special presentation box. He could not locate it and a scramble ensued. The Queen was forced to extend the audience, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, to 35 minutes, as the search continued outside the room. The embarrassed Queen and the puzzled Shevardnadzes made small talk through an interpreter as the minutes ticked on.  Eventually, in a day packed with engagements, there was no alternative but to apologise and tell the president, who had come to the palace after meeting Tony Blair at Downing Street, that the award would have to be sent to him. After Shevardnadze, widely credited with having helped to end the cold war alongside Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet president, had left, the box was discovered under the desk of an official in the private secretary's office. It had been thought to be someone's shopping. Later an equerry took the box to Claridges and, on behalf of the Queen, presented it to Shevardnadze. The Georgian embassy declined to comment, but an amused diplomat referred callers to a tiny mention in Thursday's Court Circular which revealed the royal red faces. After stating that the Shevardnadzes had visited the Queen at Buckingham Palace, it added separately that his excellency "later" received the insignia. A palace insider admitted the embarrassment but said the incident should be set alongside the "thousands of honours bestowed each year in the palace and the colossal number of engagements which run perfectly smoothly".  (Ref: Christopher Morgan The Sunday Times – 23 Jul, 2000) Sir David Spedding, KCMG, CVO, OBE has died aged 58 ( Photo - Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service – MI6) FFman tipped for Queen's honour FIANNA Fail's Michael O'Kennedy is expected to be included in the Queen's Honours List when it is published in the New Year. It is understood that the former Republic government minister, who has just stepped down after a five year stint as a co-chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body, is being considered for the award Knight Commander of the order of St Michael and St George. This order was founded by King George III in 1818 and is awarded to subjects "who have rendered extraordinary and important services abroad or in the Commonwealth". (Nov 02) GCMG Awarded - The QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the advice of Her Majesty’s Tuvalu Ministers, to give orders for the following appointment to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George: GCMG To be an Ordinary Member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, of the said Most Distinguished Order: His Excellency Sir Tomasi PUAPUA, KBE, Governor-General of Tuvalu. Ref: Mike Smith Dec 02 Royal Honour for Veteran Irish Politician A retired Fianna Fail TD is to become the first former Irish Government minister to accept an honour from the Queen. Michael O’Kennedy, who held six different ministries during a 35-year parliamentary career, has been awarded an honorary Companion, in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in recognition of his work as co-chairman of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB). scotsman.com 2 Jul 04

• Queen honours Afghan leader with knighthood Afghan leader Hamid Karzai has been awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen. She handed President Karzai the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Ananova, UK - 6 Jun 2003 Queen gives Karzai knighthood BBC News

• Companion of the Indian Empire -- First Issue The first issue of the Order of the Indian Empire was issued, like the Star of India, in one class only. The decoration is unique in its large size with unusually deep and lustrous enamel and the word "INDIA" on the petals. Commemorates the assumption by Queen Victoria of the title Empress of India. Issued for less than two years when it was replaced by the second, smaller type in three classes. Ref: antiquesatoz

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India

Royal Victorian Order

• Royal Victorian Order (Cabinet office) Royal Victorian Order (The Monarchy Today) Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun98) Royal Victorian Medal (List of recipients) Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun 99) Royal Victorian Order Royal Victorian Medal Pipe-Major Brian MacRae, RVM, has died aged 58   Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 2000 (BBC) Royal Victorian Order and Medals Queen Honours Secretary (Sybil Grant is made a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) In 1977, she was awarded the Silver Jubilee medal and in 1992, she received the British Empire Medal (BEM) (Jun 00) Butler had received medal Paul Burrell awarded the Royal Victorian Medal on 13 Nov 97 for service to the Royal Family (Diana's butler) (Nov 02) Broken Links - Posted for information purposes only: Queen Honours Commonwealth Secretary-General with GCVO (Mar, 2000) Princess Diana’s Personal Butler received Royal Victorian Medal  (Nov 97)

Order of the British Empire

• The Order of the British Empire (Cabinet Office) Order of the British Empire (The Monarchy Today) Order of the British Empire (64 Baker Street)

   
• Recipients - New Years Honour's List 1998:
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - OBE (part one)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - OBE (part two)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - MBE (part one)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - MBE (part two)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - MBE (part three)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - MBE (part four)  
  • Order of the British Empire, Civil - MBE (part five)  

• Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun98)

  • Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) A - L
• Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 1998 (BBC) (Jun 99)
  • Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) A - L
  • Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) M - Z
  • Civil List - CBE, GBE, DBE and KBE
  • Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 2000 (BBC)
  • GBEs to KBEs
  • CBEs: A - H
  • CBEs I - W
  • OBEs: A - K
  • OBEs: L - Z
  • MBEs: A - K
  • MBEs: L - Z
• Recipients - Queen's Birthday Honours - 2001 (BBC)
  • DBEs to CBEs
  • OBEs A - M
  • OBEs N - Y
  • MBEs A - C
  • MBEs D - H
  • MBEs I - M
  • MBEs N - S
  • MBEs T - Z
    
• Commander Gains Knighthood – U.S General Wesley Clark, NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe, has been awarded an honourary knighthood by the Queen for his role in the Balkans, British and NATO sources said yesterday. Buckingham Palace said the knighthood was honourary because Clark is not a British citizen. (Ref: The Toronto Star, 31 March, 2000)

• Edward George, GBE (BBC, Dec 2000)

• Bob Hope receives Honorary Knighthood - May 18, 1998 (CNN)
• Queen honours Steve Redgrave (Britain's greatest Olympian receives his knighthood from the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace) (Photo) (May 01)

• Colin Clark, CBE has died aged 52 - ( Photo -Chief Executive of Vickers Defence Systems and the engineer responsible for development of the British Army's highly regarded Challenger II battle tank)

• Hugh Fraser, OBE has died aged 79 (Wartime service with SOE to counter-espionage with MI5) (Aug 01)
• Donald Prater, OBE has died aged 83 (Intelligence Officer, Diplomat and writer)
• Brian Richards awarded MBE (Nov, 2000)
• Michael Parkinson awarded CBE (Nov, 2000)
• Denise Lewis Receives OBE (Mar 01) (Mar 01)

• Prince Charles Honours Singer Armatrading (MBE) (Oct 01)

• British Honours for New York’s Finest (New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani is to be awarded an honorary knighthood, while police commissioner Bernard Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen are to be awarded honorary CBEs) (Oct 01)

• Palace cuts costs by recycling MBEs and OBEs (May 01)  

• James Mark, MBE has died aged 86

• Galliano collects CBE (Designer John Galliano) (Nov 01)

• Hermione Countess of Ranfurly, OBE has died aged 87  

• Schmeichels service honoured More (MBE) (Photo) (Dec 01)

• Jimmy Young, CBE to be Knighted (Dec 01)

• Dudley Moore to receive CBE (Nov 01)

• Prince Charles Presents MBE to Dyfanwen Jones (Jan 02)

• US-born Pearson Boss to be a Dame (Marjorie Scardino, the Texan-born chief executive of Pearson, is to receive one of the highest honours the government can bestow when she is made a dame) (Feb 02)

• Bunny Lewis, OBE has died aged 89 (Cartographer. Joined the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, which he chaired from 1981 to 1997. He became principal adviser on place names to the Director-General of the UN, and advised the SAS and American Special Forces on military geography) (Jan 02)

• Geoffrey Stephenson. MBE has died aged 90 (Engineer and glider Pilot. Before and during the Second World War his efforts were directed as part of a team in the development of radar. After the war he continued in this field and was project engineer for the mortar-locating radar, codenamed Green Archer. For this work he was appointed MBE in 1962. He continued to be the dominant figure in EMI weapon-locating radar) (Mar 02)

• Wilf Wise, MBE has died aged 85 - gave up the chance to take part in the Great Escape from Stalag Luft 3 on March 23 1944; instead, he stayed behind to maintain a flow of valuable intelligence to London. Wise helped to devise and construct the bellows system which ventilated the escape tunnel, however, the escape coincided with a period in which he was supplying London with important information on V-2 development in the camp's neighbourhood - information which assisted the Allies in making damaging air attacks. Fluent in German, Wise managed to garner tit-bits of intelligence from a variety of sources and to include this in letters to his mother. He was well qualified for this task: before flying operationally he had received instruction in sending coded messages in the event of his being shot down. His letters were intercepted by the Secret Intelligence Service which distilled information from Wise's ostensibly mundane observations and family endearments before forwarding them to his family. In recognition of his activities when a PoW, he was appointed MBE. (Aug 02)

• Life Peerage (Sir Richard (Thomas James) Wilson GCB on his retirement as Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service) (Sep 02)

• Tea and MBEs for two Kabul heroes - A 57-year-old embassy worker, Zahoor Shah, and his colleague, Afzal Syed, 59, were rewarded for their devotion to duty with honorary MBEs in an emotional ceremony on the embassy's lawn. The surreal event was held to honour two veteran Afghan embassy workers who - against all odds - guarded the dusty compound through 23 years of conflict. "You have performed remarkable service over very many years," Britain's new ambassador to Afghanistan, Ronald Nash, told them. "Today we are here to pay tribute to you. You have worked faithfully to protect our embassy. There has been physical danger and war around you ... and you have taken care of our possessions for many years when there was no British ambassador and no British officials." (Aug 02)

• Beadle honoured by Queen (Entertainer Jeremy Beadle is made an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace) (Feb 01)

• Knighthood for Robson - Bobby Robson, the former England coach received a knighthood for services to football. He was made a CBE 12 years ago, and becomes the latest footballing knight, joining Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst, who played in the 1966 World Cup winning team, Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, and Sir Tom Finney, the former Preston North End and England forward. Jason Leonard the rugby union prop forward who was capped 84 times for England, receives an MBE. (Jun 02)

• Queen Honours Poirot The Queen has admitted to being a David Suchet fan as she awarded the Hercule Poirot actor an OBE. (Nov 02) Honours for David Suchet and Norman Jay (Photos) (Nov 02)

• Prince Charles to honour Sir Bobby Evergreen Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson, one of the most popular figures in football, has been knighted at Buckingham Palace. The 69-year-old former England, Barcelona, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Ipswich Town boss received his award in the Queen's Jubilee Honours List in the summer and was dubbed by Prince Charles. (Nov 02)

• Celebration honours OBE winner A celebration was held in honour of a community leader after he had been awarded the OBE. Balbir Singh Uppal received his award for 14 years of tireless work as the founder and chairman of Huddersfield's Sadeh Lok Housing Association. (Dec 02)

• Ann Welch, OBE has died aged 85 Aviator who flew 150 aircraft types, from Spitfires onwards, before taking up the cause of hang-gliding and paragliding. MBE in 1953 and advanced to OBE in 1966. (Dec 02)

• Guido Zembsch-Schreve, MBE has died aged 86 Wartime special operations agent who sabotaged V2 missiles and cheated death by foxing the firing squad. Appointed MBE and awarded the French Legion of Honour. The Times Apr 03

• Edward Sniders, MBE has died aged 82 Bomber pilot who, after falling into Gestapo hands in France, spent the war years in relentless escape attempts. Appointed MBE (military). The Times Apr 03

• OBE honour for shoe designer Jimmy Choo  Queen Elizabeth has honoured Datuk Jimmy Choo, Malaysia’s world-renowned fashion shoe designer, with an Honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE), the British High Commission here said in a statement.  (Dec 02)

• MBE honour for college boss Dudley College's vice-principal Sandra Haynes has received her MBE from Prince Charles. Sandra received her award in the new year honours for her work in providing access to education for Asian women. Dudley News, UK - 21 Feb 2003

• Beckham awarded OBE in Queen's birthday honours list: report David Beckham has been awarded the Order of the British Empire, one of the highest civilian honours the Queen can bestow, in her annual honours list, the Press Association reported. Agence France-Presse London, June 7 Becks 'in line for OBE' Ananova Beckham to be awarded special honour by the Queen SABC News, South Africa OBE for role model Beckham - Manchester Evening News David Beckham 'to get OBE' - The Age

• Prince honours the Welsh - in Welsh The Prince of Wales showed off his skills in the Welsh language as he carried out an investiture at Cardiff University for 32 people named in the New Year's Honours List.Among those being honoured was opera singer Bryn Terfel, who was presented with a CBE for services to opera.Receiving an MBE for services to music in Wales was Davy Jones. icWales, UK - 28 Feb 2003

  • Investiture at Cardiff University Professor Rees receives the CBE for services to higher education and to equal opportunities. Another member of University staff, Professor John Percival, formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the School of History and Archaeology, receives the OBE for services to higher education. News Wales, UK 1 Mar 2003

  • Senator calls for Irish honours system Online.ie, Ireland - 25 Feb 2003

• Hansen receives MBE Triple jumper Ashia Hansen received the latest medal for her collection when she picked up her MBE medal at Buckingham Palace. BBC Birmingham, UK  11 Jul 03 Queen's new medal for Ashia icBirmingham, UK - 10 Jul 2003

• Queen honours Lawrence father The father of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence has been honoured by the Queen in a bitter-sweet ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Neville Lawrence, co-founder of a charitable trust in his son's name, received an OBE for services to community relations. This is London, UK - 8 Jul 2003

• Dancer Sylvie Guillem gets British honour Britain conferred one of its top honours on French ballerina Sylvie Guillem Wednesday, making her an honorary commander of the British empire. Utusan Malaysia Online, Malaysia - 10 Jul 2003

• OBE honour for Bond star Brosnan James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan is to be awarded an honorary OBE in recognition of his contribution to drama and the British film industry. Ananova, UK - 14 Jul 2003

• Queen honours cancer campaigner Terminal cancer victim Jane Tomlinson has received recognition from the Queen for two years of gruelling challenges which have raised more than £387,000 for charity.The 39-year-old mother of three from Rothwell, Leeds attended the investiture at Buckingham Palace, where she received an MBE from the Queen. ICBerkshire.co.uk 9 Oct 03

• Sting Celebrates after ‘Landmark’ Royal Honour Rock star Sting hopes the Queen may yet tune into his music. Receiving a CBE at Buckingham Palace, he said: “I’d be surprised if she knows my music – I know Charles listens to it – but there’s always hope.” Announced at the Palace investiture as “Gordon Sumner, known as Sting”, the 51-year-old singer-songwriter-musician took a bow before the Queen. News.Scotsman.com 0 Oct 03

• Larsson thanks Celtic for his MBE honour Henrik Larsson was awarded an MBE for his services to Scottish football during his seven seasons at Celtic.The Barcelona striker, who later in the day was named in Sweden's provisional World Cup squad by coach Lars Lagerback, was presented with the award at a ceremony at the Nou Camp after being after nominated for the honour by Celtic fans. He scored 242 goals in 315 matches, making him the Parkhead club's third top scorer of all time, and helped the club win four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups before leaving to join Barcelona in 2004. sport.scotsman.com 10 May 06

• 2012 Olympic bid team receive royal honour Sebastian Coe and the team credited with landing the 2012 Olympics for London were honoured by Queen Elizabeth II. Coe was knighted along with Keith Mills, the bid's chief executive. British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), while Neil Wood, the bid's finance director, and marketing chief David Magliano were made Members of the British Empire (MBE). iol.co.za 10 May 06

•  Canada - Queen honours Canadian war bride An Ottawa woman was honoured by the Queen for her work helping other Canadian war brides and bombed-out Londoners during and after the Second World War. The ceremony at Buckingham Palace means Jean Spear is now a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). cbc.ca 10 May 06

• Queen's honours for acting pair Band of Gold actress Geraldine James and Bertie Wooster star Ian Carmichael have received OBEs from the Queen. BBC News 22 Oct 03

• Cleared Colonel awarded Iraq war OBE Colonel Tim Collins has been made an OBE for his "immense" contribution to the Iraq war effort. BBC News 31 Oct 03

• Honour: MBE joy for 'legend' Dick At 85 years old, Dick Elsey is Britain's oldest paperboy – and proud of it. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was also collecting his MBE at the palace. peterborough now 31 Oct 03

• Royal honour for music stars Musicians Dave Gilmour and Jools Holland have received honours from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. BBC News UK Edition 7 Nov 03 Gilmour and Holland admit royal honour nerves Ananova 7 Nov 03

• Guardian fights to lift honours secrecy Downing Street officials are refusing to disclose why the England football captain David Beckham was awarded an OBE. Officials insist that the public cannot be told exactly what Beckham and other recipients of medals have done to deserve their gongs, as tight secrecy is necessary to protect the centuries-old honours system. Downing Street has rejected an "open government" request from the Guardian for copies of citations for 10 individuals, including Sting, Jamie Oliver, and Labour donors who have been awarded honours in recent years. Guardian 3 Nov 03

• Rasta Poet Rejects Honor From Queen Rastafarian poet Benjamin Zephaniah has rejected an honor from Queen Elizabeth II, describing it as a legacy of the "brutality" of British colonialism.Zephaniah, one of Britain's best-known contemporary poets, announced he was spurning the invitation in an article published in The Guardian newspaper, breaking the convention that those who reject honors do it privately. The poet, who grew up in England and Jamaica, was recommended for an OBE award, or Officer of the Order of British Empire.But in a blistering criticism of Prime Minister Tony Blair and the monarchy, he railed against Britain's colonial past and its support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.Zephaniah's rejection of the honor echoes John Lennon's return of his MBE, or Member of the Order of the British Empire, medal in 1969 over Britain's stance on Vietnam and the civil war in Nigeria. abc news 27 Nov 03

• Beckham gets honor from queen England football captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham has received an honor from Queen Elizabeth II. Beckham, one of the most glamorous and photographed footballers, wore a three-piece morning suit with top hat to pick up the award at Buckingham Palace, London. He said receiving the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the queen was a "great honor," especially among so many other worthy recipients. cnn.com 27 Nov 03

• Tributes to modest war hero Percy During his lifetime, Percy Hammonds, from Scunthorpe, made a great many friends, but few would know he was a wartime hero who helped to save the lives of more than 60 survivors from a stricken, torpedoed tanker. 
  Indeed, it was not until he died recently that it was revealed to them he had been awarded the MBE for his gallantry and devotion to duty during the Second World War, when he served in the Merchant Navy. Percy was on board a rescue ship which went to the aid of a torpedoed tanker. Some of the survivors were injured but all were exhausted from swimming in the oily seas and were too weak to climb the safety nets which had been dropped over the side to help them. Seeing their plight, Percy and two of his comrades gallantly climbed down the nets and dragged more than 60 of the survivors to safety. In 1945, Percy went to Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE from the King. Scunthorpe Telegraph 29 Nov 03

• Wilkinson set to receive honours England's Rugby World Cup hero Johnny Wilkinson will be presented with an MBE by the Queen on 10 December, it has been announced. BBC News 29 Nov 03

• Billy Connolly collects royal honour Scottish comedian Billy Connolly has received one of Britain's highest public awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Connolly, known for his profane humour and flowing locks, was presented with the honour of Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince Charles for his services to entertainment. Reuters UK 3 Dec 03

  Broken Links - Posted for information purposes only:
  • Honorary KBE for Admiral Leighton Smith USN (Retd)

  • Don gets Gonged (WO Don McQueen, MBE)

• UK civilians honoured for Iraq work More than 50 British civilians have been honoured for their work helping reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The honours list, which awards 41 men and 10 women, recognises work carried out in Iraq since January 2003. Three diplomats received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and Saint George. The prime minister's office confirmed that Dominic Asquith had been made a CMG for the "crucial political role" he played in post-war Iraq as deputy head of the UK mission in Baghdad. Henry Hogger, the former governorate co-ordinator in Basra and Paul Harvey, governorate co-ordinator in Kirkuk were also made CMGs. The Iraqi football team's manager Mark Clarke was awarded an MBE for his work in helping the team to reach the Olympic semi-finals in Athens. Pentonville Prison Governor Gareth Davies was awarded an OBE for work carried out in his former role as director of law and order for southern Iraq. Mandana Hendessi also received an OBE for helping to establish the women's rights group, the Women's Higher Council in Iraq. Others who were honoured in the list include Chief Superintendent Philip Read of West Yorkshire Police, who received an OBE for his work in helping to train the new Iraqi police force. dehavilland.co.uk 4 Dec 04

Broken Links - Posted for information purposes only:

• Royal honour for years of making difference Beryl Mason was on cloud nine after her trip to Buckingham Palace to collect an MBE. Mrs Mason, 64, was honoured for the lead she took in introducing the trailblazing Sure Start scheme, which aims to give all youngsters across the borough the best start in life. The honour was also given for her work as chairman of Telford & Wrekin Council's Early Years Partnership. Shropshire Star 13 Dec 03

• Queen to honour Bill Gates Billl Gates is to receive an honorary British knighthood for services to global enterprise, London's Sunday Telegraph reported today. Gates had been recommended for the knighthood – which is to be formally conveyed by the Queen – by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. An announcement will be made on Monday. Gates and other captains of global industry and finance will be in London attending a major conference. Britain gives the title of honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, or KBE, from time to time to distinguished non-Britons, many of them Americans. Such foreign knights cannot, however, prefix their names with "sir". Americans who have received a KBE include former president George Bush, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, film director Steven Spielberg, and US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan. news.com.au 25 Jan 04

• Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal knighted Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who has devoted his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, was awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen. The honorary KBE is intended to recognise the value of Mr Wiesenthal's work to Jewish communities from Austria, Germany and central Europe, who made their post-war homes in Britain. Telegraph 20 Feb 04

• Ex-boxer Watson gets royal honor Brain-damaged former boxer Michael Watson was able to walk to Britain's Queen Elizabeth to accept a knighthood, Member of the British Empire. The Washington Times 12 Feb 04
• Queen honours Saudi lawyer Britain's Queen has decorated the Saudi lawyer who secured clemency for seven Britons accused of a series of bombings in Riyadh. Queen Elizabeth made Shaikh Salah Ibrahim Al Hejailan an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the embassy said. Al Hejailan is entitled to put the initials CBE after his name. Gulf Daily News 5 Mar 04
• Honour for riot governor A lorry driver turned prison governor who helped end the Strangeways riots went to Buckingham Palace to accept his MBE. Alan Hall, 60, from Worsley travelled to London on Wednesday with wife Mary and sons David and Mark to accept the New Year honour. Mr Hall has worked at Manchester Prison for 24 years and was commander during the riots in 1990. Manchester News 12 Mar 04

• British queen honours Om Puri Om Puri has been named an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. The honour was conferred on the veteran actor in recognition of Puri's 'outstanding services to the film industry', a release from the British high commission in New Delhi said. us.rediff.com 23 Jul 04

• The Queen honors Indian actress Indian-born actress and cookbook writer Madhur Jaffrey has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II. The Foreign Office said Jaffrey, 70, had been named an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE. The award, for services to drama and Indian culture and cuisine, will be bestowed at a ceremony later this year. chron.com 18 Mar 04

• Kinks songwriter accepts honour Kinks songwriter Ray Davies, shot in the leg by a mugger two months ago, said today that he hopes to be "jumping around onstage" soon. Davies, 59, leaned on a walking stick as he appeared at Buckingham Palace to accept an honour from Queen Elizabeth II. He wore a dark suit and tortoiseshell sunglasses as he was awarded the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the queen. heraldsun.news.com.au 18 Mar 04

• Collins at Palace to receive OBE The Ulster Army officer who gave a famous eve-of-battle speech to his men before the start of the Iraq war was receiving his OBE. Belfast-born Colonel Tim Collins achieved worldwide fame with his words to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. Steeling themselves for the fight ahead, he told his men: "If you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory." Poignantly, he warned the 600 soldiers poised on the Iraqi border, that some of them may not return to their families. He urged his troops to wrap their fallen comrades in a sleeping bag, fight on and grieve for them after the heat of battle. The speech earned him lavish praise from the Prince of Wales and was admired by US President George W Bush, who reportedly hung a copy on the wall of the Oval Office. belfasttelegraph.co.uk 7 Apr 04

• Queen honours TV and dance stars Television host Richard Whiteley has received an OBE from the Queen at a Buckingham Palace ceremony. The Countdown presenter, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, joins co-host Carol Vorderman in the honours. She was made an MBE in 2000. Veteran dancer and choreographer Frederic Franklin, 90, was also made a CBE at the ceremony. news.bbc.co.uk 16 Nov 04

• Honour for Suffolk sailor A Suffolk born sailor was one of up to 350 servicemen involved in the Iraqi conflict who were awarded honours at Buckingham Palace. The recipients including Commandore Alan Massey were handed their awards yesterday by the Prince of Wales. Commodore Massey who was born in Ipswich was captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and received a CBE. Tank commander Brigadier Graham Binns received the Distinguished Service Order, as well as Major General Robin Brims. eveningstar.co.uk 8 Apr 04

• Glossy mag to record Winnie's MBE honour A Shropshire woman who will be honoured by the Queen for her good work in the community is set to model in a company magazine after staff found out about her MBE success. Winnie was in the New Year's Honours List in recognition of her services to the community and charity, including Children in Need and the Macmillan Nurse Fund. shropshirestar.com 8 Apr 04

• The Queen Honours John Jay Iselin Her Majesty The Queen has awarded John Jay Iselin, President of the Marconi Fellowship Foundation at Columbia University, an honorary CBE. The honour is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British television interests in the United States, his services to Cambridge University and the Marshall Scholarships. As President of WNET Channel 13, a Public Broadcasting Service flagship channel, Mr. Iselin was the driving force behind a distinctive schedule of programming, which elevated WNET to one of the two leading public television stations in America. In so doing, he nurtured key relationships with the BBC and various ITV companies that opened the door for the incredible penetration of British television into the American market. businesswire.com 27 May 04

• UK honour for director Zeffirelli Film-maker Franco Zeffirelli has become the first Italian citizen to receive an honorary knighthood from the UK. The director, whose films include the Oscar-winning Romeo and Juliet, received a KBE for his "valuable services to British performing arts". The honorary knighthood sees Zeffirelli join a host of legendary names from the arts world, including Andre Previn, Yehudi Menuhin, Steven Spielberg and Bob Hope. His decoration stands for Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. news.bbc.co.uk 24 Nov 04

• Queen honours Ayres and Redmond Grange Hill creator Phil Redmond and poet Pam Ayres (left) were among the guests at Buckingham Palace for investitures from the Queen. Redmond, who also masterminded Brookside, was made a CBE for his services to drama. Ayres, known for her popular rhymes, got an MBE for services to literature and entertainment. news.bbc.co.uk 21 Oct 04

• HONOUR: MBE award crowns career A visit to Buckingham Palace turned into a day of double delight for former Peterborough policeman Roy Dudley. Not only did Mr Dudley (74) receive his MBE award from Her Majesty, but he got the chance to meet members of the England World Cup winning rugby squad who were also being honoured. Mr. Dudley, who received the recognition for his services to the police force. peterboroughtoday.co.uk 27 Oct 04

• Queen honours England's Cup stars England's Rugby World Cup-winning squad was honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Injured fly-half and new captain Jonny Wilkinson, veteran prop forward Jason Leonard and new coach Andy Robinson all received OBEs for services to rugby. The rest of the 30-strong group of players were awarded MBEs. news.bbc.co.uk 26 Oct 04

• Winnie excited by MBE honour A Shropshire woman honoured by the Queen for her good work in the community was in London to receive her MBE. Winnie Goodwin, 57, of Cheswardine, has waited six months to pick up the honour given in recognition of her services to the community and charity, including Children in Need and the Macmillan Nurses Fund. shropshirestar.com 27 May 04

• Dame Tanni receives Palace honour Paralympian Tanni Grey Thompson has received her Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire insignia at Buckingham Palace. She was named a Dame in the New Year's Honours List, adding to her MBE in 1993 and the OBE she was awarded in 1999. The 35-year-old won two golds in Athens, bringing her Paralympic tally to 16 medals, including 11 golds. news.bbc.co.uk 22 Mar 04

• Queen honours producer Waterman Music producer Pete Waterman has collected an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The 58-year-old, one third of pop producers Stock Aitken Waterman and a judge on Pop Idol, was honoured for services to music. news.bbc.co.uk 23 Feb 05

• Britain honours 'Sir Tommy' Britain has decided to award an honorary knighthood to the US military commander of the invasion of Iraq, the retired General Tommy Franks.Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon will present General Franks with the honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire at a private ceremony in London. According to a government statement, the general will be recognised for his exceptional and inspirational leadership of British forces during operations both in Afghanistan and Iraq. The announcement has sparked outrage from critics of the war, who describe it as the ultimate in bad taste. abc.net.au 25 May 04

  • Iraq General Knighted in Secret mirror.co.uk 25 May 04

• Royal honour for TV actor Palmer Actor Geoffrey Palmer, pictured left, and author Leslie Thomas have been made OBEs by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. news.bbc.co.uk 22 Jun 05

• Johnson Picks up CBE He lifted the Rugby Union World Cup - and on Thursday Martin Johnson picked up a CBE from the Queen. It was a belated visit to Buckingham Palace for the former England captain, whose award was made in the 2004 New Year Honours list following the November 2003 World Cup triumph in Sydney. The rest of the World Cup squad received honours - coach Clive Woodward was knighted, kicker Jonny Wilkinson collected an OBE and the other players received MBEs - at a Palace investiture in October. sportinglife.com 18 Feb 05

• Tarrant 'proud' to receive honour Television host Chris Tarrant has been presented with an OBE by the Queen for services to broadcasting and charity. bbc.co.uk 22 Jun 04

• Holmes receives honour at Palace Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has received her Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire insignia at Buckingham Palace. The 34-year-old was named a Dame in the New Year Honours List after winning the 800m and 1500m gold medals in Athens. news.bbc.co.uk 9 Mar 05

• Queen to honour Man City's "Traut the Kraut" Former Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who played on during the 1956 FA Cup Final despite breaking his neck, will be presented with the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The 82-year-old German, known to fans as "Traut the Kraut" will receive the award for his efforts to improve German-British relations. reuters.co.uk 29 Oct 04

• Michael Rizzello Sculpture Exhibition Opens At Mall Galleries A fascinating sculpture exhibition will open at the Mall Galleries in London on April 12th 2005 and run for 10 days until April 20th. It features the work of sculptor Michael Rizzello O.B.E. The Royal Mint is providing rarely seen archive material of Rizzello‘s key numismatic works, including the current Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. creativematch.co.uk 8 Mar 05

• Queen honours Zola Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola will receive an Order of the British Empire (OBE) award, becoming an honorary member of the fraternity for his services to British football. The British embassy reported the Italian veteran, currently plying his trade at Serie A club Calgiari, will receive the award at a special ceremony in Rome from the ambassador on behalf of Queen Elizabeth. sbs.com.au 30 Oct 04

• CBE for Billy Elliot's Director Stephen Daldry said he was "thrilled" for his mother as he collected his CBE. bbc.co.uk 7 Jul 04

• Henman is a champion at Queen's Tim Henman and Fred Dibnah. Tim Henman put last week's Wimbledon defeat behind him as he collected an OBE for his services to lawn tennis yesterday. He was joined at the Palace by Fred Dibnah, the former steeplejack from Bolton, Lancs, who became a BBC television presenter. He received an MBE for services to heritage and broadcasting. telegraph.co.uk 7 Jul 04

• Celtic manager Martin O'Neill given royal honor Celtic manager and former Northern Ireland international Martin O'Neill was awarded an Order of the British Empire, or OBE, by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The 52-year-old has managed Scottish club Celtic since June 2000, leading it and 3 league titles and the UEFA Cup final last May. msn.foxsports.com 16 Jul 04

• Knighthood Conferred The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon Charles Declan Morgan QC, on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court in Northern Ireland. number10.gov.uk 15 Jul 04

   

• Palace honour for curry Queen The Queen of Curry met the Queen of England who gave her the OBE. The chief executive of the Manchester-based Shere Khan restaurant chain went to Buckingham Palace to collect her honour with husband Rafique, elder son Atik and daughter Kiran. theasiannews.co.uk 29 Nov 04

• Michael Rizzello, OBE Michael Rizzello, the sculptor who died on September 28 aged 78, worked in most sculptural media and at all scales from large architectural works, public statuary and wildlife sculpture to portrait busts and plaques; he also designed medals and coins. During the 1960s and 1970s he became best known as a designer of coins and medals. He designed coinage for the Royal Mint and coins and medals for some 100 countries. He created the new Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for the Ministry of Defence in 1994. Michael Rizzello was appointed OBE in 1977. telegraph.co.uk 8 Oct 04

• Britain Honours Adelita Mrs. Adelita Maria Pereira Bediako, a Brazilian employed locally as a receptionist at the British High Commission in Accra Ghana for the past 22 years has been appointed an Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by HM Queen Elizabeth II. The British High Commissioner, Mr Gordon Wetherel, in presenting the award on behalf of The Queen, said this was in recognition of the valuable services Adelita had rendered to the British High Commission over the past 22 years. The citation accompanying the award read in part; "Whereas We have thought fit to nominate and appoint you to be an Honorary Member of the Civil Division of Our said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire We do by these presents grant unto you the Dignity of an Honorary Member of Our said Order and hereby authorise you to have hold and enjoy the said Dignity and Rank of an Honorary Member of Our aforesaid Order together with all and singular the privileges thereunto belonging or appertaining."  allafrica.com 2 Sep 04

• Clapton Gets Honor From Buckingham Palace Rock musician Eric Clapton holds up his CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) which he received for services to music. abcnews.go.com 3 Nov 04

• CBE honour for actress Routledge Actress Patricia Routledge, star of TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has been made a CBE by the Queen. Routledge epitomised British snobbery as Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced "Bouquet" - in the hit 1990s show. She already has an OBE, plus a distinguished stage career that has earned her a Tony award and an Olivier. Routledge, was awarded the honour for services to drama. news.bbc.co.uk 14 Oct 04

• Broken Links - Posted for information purposes only:
  • Honorary KBE for Admiral Leighton Smith USN (Retd)

  • Don gets Gonged (WO Don McQueen, MBE)

Distinguished Service Order

• Honour for Suffolk sailor A Suffolk born sailor was one of up to 350 servicemen involved in the Iraqi conflict who were awarded honours at Buckingham Palace. The recipients including Commandore Alan Massey were handed their awards yesterday by the Prince of Wales. Commodore Massey who was born in Ipswich was captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and received a CBE. Tank commander Brigadier Graham Binns received the Distinguished Service Order, as well as Major General Robin Brims. eveningstar.co.uk 8 Apr 04

• Medals fetch £75,000 Eight medals awarded to the war hero who changed the face of the second world war have been sold for more than £75,000. The gallant air commodore John Searby flew seven times over a German rocket site while some 40 friendly aircraft were shot out of the moonlit sky around him. It led to the Lancaster pilot being awarded an almost unheard of immediate distinguished service order (DSO), as the raid had caused a crucial six-month delay to the V-2 rocket programme. The DSO and his distinguishing flying cross (DFC) were among the decorations sold by his widow, along with a wealth of background material, including his logbooks. The collection, appearing on the market for the first time, prompted a three-way battle at auction, which quickly left the pre-sale estimate far behind. Dix, Noonan and Webb auctioneer David Erskine-Hill said: "The new owner wishes to remain anonymous but I can say this collection is going to a good home and will remain in this country. new.edp24.co.uk 5 Mar 05

• Brits' war crimes charges Eleven British soldiers — including a commanding officer — were charged after the deaths of an Iraqi prisoner and a civilian. In an unprecedented move, their boss — highly-decorated Colonel Jorge Mendonca, 41 — is to be prosecuted for negligence. It is the first time a CO has had to sit in the dock alongside his men on war crimes charges. Senior defence sources said Col Mendonca, who has an MBE and DSO medal for gallantry, was not accused of being personally involved in brutality. thesun.co.uk 22 Jul 05

• 'First he is given top honour for bravery then they treat him like a war criminal' For the six months of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment's tour of Iraq, the 1.5 million citizens of Basra did not know that law and order was being enforced by only the 420 deployable men under Jorge Mendonca's command. Many thought that at least five times that number must be controlling the city, such was the effectiveness of the troops during the rioting and looting that followed the fall of Saddam Hussein. Col Mendonca personally led actions against gunmen and went to extremes to maintain good relations with the population. For his bravery and leadership he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the highest accolade for command that Britain can bestow. But half-way through the deployment, all the regiment's good work was to be overshadowed by the death of 28-year-old Baha Mousa while in the QLR's custody. telegraph.co.uk 14 Nov 05

• 50 years after his death, maverick colonel may yet receive the VC As a founding member of the SAS, Lt Col Blair "Paddy" Mayne was one of the most decorated heroes of the Second World War, winning four Distinguished Service Orders, the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre. Fifty years after his death, a campaign for a posthumous Victoria Cross is gathering momentum amid claims that he was unjustly denied the ultimate gallantry award.  His actions on April 9 1945, at Oldenburg, north-west Germany, earned him a recommendation for the VC, which was turned down in controversial circumstances. More than 100 MPs support early day motions claiming a "grave injustice" when his VC recommendation was downgraded to a third-bar DSO. The VC citation describes how Col Mayne was ordered to lead the 4th Canadian Armoured Division through enemy lines. His "brilliant leadership and cool calculating courage" and "a single act of supreme bravery" drove the Germans from a strongly held village. Under fire and in full view of the Germans, he seized a Bren gun and burst into several houses, killing and wounding enemy soldiers. He then jumped into a jeep and cleared a path by shooting from the hip at the enemy. Col Mayne rescued Allied wounded in the face of intense machinegun fire. The Blair Mayne Association has recently unearthed a 1945 document from the Canadian national archive suggesting that he was denied a VC because it was "not a single-handed act of heroism". Another soldier was said to have given covering fire. Don Touhig, the veterans' minister, said it would be wrong to reverse commanders' decisions of 60 years ago. It is hoped that next month's 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria instituting the VC could bring a change of heart. telegraph.co.uk 14 Dec 05

• Lieutenant-Commander Dicky Kendall Lieutenant-Commander Dicky Kendall, who has died aged 82, placed a two-ton mine under the German battleship Tirpitz in the Kaa Fjord of northern Norway. On the evening of September 20 1942, after being towed 1,200 miles from Scotland in an attack submarine, Kendall boarded the miniature sub X-6. While his captain, Lt Don Cameron, navigated through a minefield on the surface, Kendall had to trim the craft to counterbalance a leak in one of the two-ton explosive charges fixed to its sides. Cameron was awarded the VC; Lt John Lorimer and Kendall received the DSO; and Engine Room Artificer Edmund Goddard the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. The Germans billeted Kendall and Lorimer in a prison camp outside Bremen with the survivors of Operation Principal, the human torpedo attack in the Mediterranean; and for several months all the most highly decorated officers in the RNVR shared the same hut. Afterwards Kendall rarely talked about Operation Source (the Tirpitz attack) or his captivity, except to boast of bribing a guard for a bottle of Champagne to celebrate his 21st birthday. He was released after 18 months, and left the Navy in 1946..telegraph.co.uk 8 Apr 06

• Medals of Lt.Col Robert Blair Mayne, DSO  - DSO and 3 Bars Stewart McClean

• WWII fighter pilot sells medals Medals and mementoes belonging to a distinguished World War II fighter pilot has sold for £138,000 at auction. The items mark 65 years of flying and included a Distinguished Flying Cross with two bars and an OBE. They were bought by a private collector and will remain in Britain, said the auctioneers, Dix Noonan Webb in Mayfair, London. news.bbc.co.uk 7 Dec 05 World War Two Hero Forced To Sell His Medals A legendary World War Two fighter ace who broke the world air speed record is being forced to sell off his medals after 65 years of flying. Hero pilot Neville Duke, D.S.O, O.B.E., D.F.C. (and Two Bars), A.F.C, has one of the longest and most distinguished records in British aviation history. He captured the record from the Americans flying a Hunter Jet in 1953 during the golden age of 'breaking the sound barrier.' Duke was credited with 28 air combat 'victories' during his 485 operational sorties after joining the RAF in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle Of Britain. In September 1953 he famously captured the World Air Speed Record recording a speed of 727.63 m.p.h in a special all red Hunter. Now the flying helmet he wore on the incredible occasion will be part of a lot including a parachute ripcord he used when he baled out of his flak damaged Spitfire over Italy in 1944. The lot will also feature a photographic archive, his flying log books, wartime diaries, decorations and medals. "The decision was partly influenced by the fact that I have growing concerns over security and storage arrangements, and rapidly increasing insurance costs, added to which the money raised will give my wife and I financial security in our latter years." Duke and his wife Gwen, 85, who he married in 1947, still fly together regularly. He said that with having no children to look after the collection he thought it would make sense to pass the responsibility on to someone else. The lot which will goes under the hammer at Dix Noonan Webb in London on Wednesday December 7 is expected to raise up to £150,000. lse.co.uk 2 Dec 05

• The Distinguished Service Order (Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia) The Distinguished Service Order - New Statutes governing this awarded were published in a supplement to the London Gazette dated 20 February, 2001 at page 2121. This is something of a departure as such documents normally issued as Command Papers rather than as part of a Ministry of Defence Gazette. The amended Warrant contains only minor alterations, removing the requirement to hold a commission and employing gender-free terminology. It is now to be awarded for ‘distinguished services during active operations against the enemy’. The office of the Registrar of the Order is transferred from the Secretary of State for Defence to the Secretary of the Central Chancery of Orders of Knighthood. (Reference: The Journal of The Orders and Medal Research Society, September 2001, Volume 40, Number 3 (252), p. 178, by N.G. Gooding) Major Frederick Russell Burnham, D.S.O

Order of the Companion of Honour

• Nazi hunter gets honour at home A celebrated Nazi hunter has been given an honorary knighthood for his work to bring Holocaust war criminals to trial. Simon Wiesenthal, 95, received the award at his home in Austria on Friday because he is now too frail to travel. BBC 19 Jun 04

• Companion of Honour (Cabinet Office) Companions of Honour (The Monarchy Today) Life Peers to Order of the Companion of Honour (Dec, 1997)

• Harold Pinter receives top honour from Queen British playwright Harold Pinter was presented with the Companion of Honour accolade by the Queen for his services to literature. (Nov 02) Pinter given royal honour (Nov 02)

The Imperial Service Order

• The Imperial Service Order (Cabinet Office)

Order of St. John of Jerusalem

• Order of St. John of Jerusalem Links to the Chivralric Alliance of St. John Orders Honours for river rescuers (Mr Stuart Thompson has been awarded the bronze life-saving medal from the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and Mr Michael Potter a Royal Humane Society certificate for bravery. (Feb 02)

• Top Honour for Mandela Nelson Mandela has collected his latest honour when he was invested by the Duke of Gloucester as a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John. Mr Mandela’s honour is the highest the Order can bestow. The Order’s secretary general, Andrew Gough, said: “It is with enormous pleasure that we bestow this honour upon Mr Mandela in recognition of his dedicated services to the work of the Order in South Africa and beyond.” Mr Mandela is a member of the Order in the Priory of South Africa and, in 2003, was promoted by the Queen to the highest grade within the Order. He was first appointed to the Order as a Knight in 1996. news.scotsman.com 23 Nov 04

• St John honour David Tucker of South Molton has been invested as a member of the Order of St John. Mr Tucker, 68, joined nearly 40 years ago and for many years was the divisional superintendent in South Molton. He obtained South Molton's first ambulance and under his leadership South Molton became the first division to get the Certificate of Merit (usually only given to individuals) for the rescue of motorists during the blizzard of 1976. northdevongazette.co.uk 5 Apr 06

The Royal Order of Victoria and Albert

• The Royal Order of Victoria and Albert This Order was founded by Queen Victoria in 1862, and comprised the Sovereign and forty-five ladies. It is divided into four classes, the first and second of which are comprised entirely of Royal personages, foreign as well as British. The third class is composed of titled ladies, or "Honourables". The Badge of the First and Second Classes consist of an onyx cameo with the busts of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort, surmounted by the Imperial Crown. They are both set in diamonds, the Second Class Badge being somewhat smaller. The Badge of the Third Class is set in pearls, while that of the Fourth Class is in the form of a monogram, "V. & A.", set with pearls and surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The Ribbon from which the Badge is suspended is of white watered silk, 38 mm wide, and is worn on the left shoulder in the form of a bow.

The Royal Guelphic Order

• The Royal Guelphic Order (obsolete) This Hanoverian Order was founded by HRH The Prince Regent, afterwards George IV of Great Britian, in 1815, and was not conferred after the death of William IV in 1837. It was more British than Hanoverian, and the last British Grand Cross was the HRH The Duke of Cambridge.

  The Cross or Badge of the Military Division was a golden Maltese cross, enamelled in blue with white edges and having a lion between each limb of the cross. In the centre, o na ground of red enamel, was the white horse of Hanover, surrounded by a circle of light blue enamel with the motto, in gold letters, "NEC ASPERA TERRENT". Surrounding the circle was a laurel wreath. On the reverse was the monogram "G.R." in gold letters on a red ground, surmounted by the British Crown and surrounded by a gold circle with the date of the institution, "MDCCCXV".

  The Cross was surmounted by the Hanoverian Crown, and below it were two crossed swords.

  The Star of the Military Division was of silver with eight points, the centre being similar to the centre of the Cross, but with two crossed swords between the divisions of the Star, in gold, on the silver radiations. The Ribbon was of light blue watered silk.

  The insignia of the Civil Division was the same as that of the Military Division with the exception of the crossed swords which were omitted on the Star and Cross, while an oak wreath was substituted for the laurel.

  There were three classes of the Order in both the Civil and Military Divisions - Knight Grand Cross, with Sash and Star; Knight Commander, with neck Cross and Star; and Knight, with breast Cross. Gold and silver medals were attached to the Order. They had on the obverse the bust of the Prince Regent, and on the reverse the inscription "VERDIENST UMS VATERLAND", the whole surrounded by a laurel wreath.

  During the twenty-two years of its existence the Royal Guelphic Order was frequently awarded to officers of the British Army and Navy.

The Royal Family Orders

• Royal Family Orders   The Monarchy Today

   

Baronets

Knights Bachelor

• Queen's Birthday Honours List - 2000 (BBC) (List of Recipients) Knights Bachelor etc Queen's Birthday Honours List - 2001 (BBC) (List of Recipients) Knights Bachelor etc

   

Indian Order of Merit

• The Indian Order of Merit  Ed Haynes

Royal Red Cross Medal

• Nurse in royal war honour A Birmingham-based military nurse has been awarded a top honour by the Queen for his service during the Iraq war. Royal Naval Lieutenant Julian Despres has been given the Royal Red Cross for his work on board the hospital ship Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argos treating injured soldiers and civilians during the conflict. The 28-year-old was the nursing officer in charge of the ship's emergency unit and was also appointed nuclear, biological and chemical specialist adviser. ICBirmingham.co.uk 8 Mar 04

Imperial Service Medal

• Carole's back in court - with a medal A courtroom was packed with well wishers when a Coventry woman received a rare medal - a first for anyone in the city. Carole Wesson, 61, was the star of a lavish ceremony when she was presented with The Imperial Service Medal, established by King Edward VII in 1902. The Honorary Recorder of Coventry, Judge Richard Cole, presented the medal to the retired courtworker, who is the city's first proud recipient of the honour. She worked for 30 years, until last January, as an administration officer in the court's family section. The medal is only awarded when the recipient has chalked up at least 25 years' service, and only then if their career has been recognised as "faithful and meritorious service". ICCoventry.co.uk 8 Mar 04

Miscellaneous Information on Orders & Chivalry

• Order of the British Commonwealth - The Order of Commonwealth is under development and close to approval, but there are still some wrinkles to be worked out. The Queen would award same as head of the Commonwealth and, therefore, it would fall under Canada's honour system. (Ref: e-mail Paul Richards)
• British Orders of Chivalry
• Prince Backs Schemes for Badges of Honour (Jan, 2001)
• Britain in the USA - Honours and Awards (British Information Services)
• British Royalty (Camelot International - look under Decorations)
• Awards
• Sir Sean Connery
• Actor Michael Caine Knighted

• Honour for hospice founder Muriel Little was presented with the Badge of the Order of Mercy by the League of Mercy, an award given to just 25 people each year to recognise outstanding support to voluntary organisations. The recipients represented hospital leagues of friends, hospices, and charities such as Mencap, arthritis and stroke care. harrogatetoday.co.uk 21 Jun 04

• Fans Press for Clough Knighthood Fans campaigning for a posthumous knighthood for Brian Clough said today they had made fresh attempts to press the Government into action. They visited 10 Downing Street last month to deliver a petition signed by 7,500 people backing their campaign to knight the footballing legend. Now Clough’s supporters have written to Tony Blair to highlight the case of another sporting hero who was knighted after he died. It comes, they said, after a “dismissive” initial response from Downing Street officials, who said posthumous knighthoods were only bestowed for gallantry. The campaigners’ research, however, found that golfer Henry Cotton received a posthumous knighthood in the 1988 New Year’s Honours List. “You cannot escape the fact that a knighthood was bestowed posthumously on Henry Cotton, whatever excuse the officials may come up with in response. news.scotsman.com 29 Nov 04

• Hero Welcome for Dame Ellen Record-breaking solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur returned home in triumph to a hero's welcome on Tuesday - and the news she had been made a Dame. The 28-year-old learnt the Queen had awarded her the honour for becoming the fastest person to sail non-stop single-handedly around the world as she sailed into Falmouth, Cornwall. sportinglife.com 8 Feb 05

   

• Ellen given dame honour at palace Record-breaking solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur has become the youngest person to receive a damehood, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. news.bbc.co.uk 27 Apr 05