1939 New Year Honours Explained

The 1939 New Year Honours were appointments by King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the United Kingdom and British Empire. They were announced on 30 December 1938.[1]

The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and arranged by honour, with classes (Knight, Knight Grand Cross, etc.) and then divisions (Military, Civil, etc.) as appropriate.

United Kingdom and Colonies

Barons

Privy Counsellors

Baronets

Knights Bachelor

Dominions
India and Burma
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army

Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Civil Division

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division

Order of Merit

The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India

Knights Commander (KCSI)

Companions (CSI)

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)

Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

Honorary Knights Commander

Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

Order of the Indian Empire

Knights Grand Commander (GCIE)

Knights Commander (KCIE)

Companions (CIE)

The Royal Victorian Order

Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)

Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)

Members of the Royal Victorian Order, 4th class (MVO)

Members of the Royal Victorian Order, 5th class (MVO)

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

Colonies, Protectorates, etc.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
India
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.
Overseas Residents
Honorary Commanders

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
Overseas Residents
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.
India
Honorary Officers

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
Overseas Residents
India and Burma
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.
Honorary Members

Kaisar-i-Hind Medals

First Class + Bar
First Class

British Empire Medals (BEM)

Military Division
For Meritorious Service
Civil Division
For Gallantry
For Meritorious Service

Imperial Service Medals

Indian Civil Services
Colonial Service

Air Force Crosses

Australia

Air Force Medals

Royal Air Force

Royal Red Crosses (RRC)

Second Class

King's Police Medals (KPM)

For Gallantry
England and Wales
Fire Brigade England and Wales
Northern Ireland
India
Burma
Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories
For Distinguished Service
England and Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Australia
India
Burma
Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories

Notes and References

  1. United Kingdom and British Empire: