1942 Birthday Honours Explained

The King's Birthday Honours 1942 were appointments by King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by members of the British Empire. They were published on 5 June 1942 for the United Kingdom and Canada.

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.

British Empire

Baron

Privy Councillor

Baronet

Knight of the Garter

Knight of the Thistle

Knight Bachelor

Dominions
India
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.

Order of the Bath

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

Military Division
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division

Order of Merit (OM)

Order of the Star of India

Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI)

Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI)

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

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

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

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

Order of the Indian Empire

Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE)

Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)

Royal Victorian Order

Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)

Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)

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

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

Order of the British Empire

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

Military Division
Civil Division

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

Military Division

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

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
Honorary Commander

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
Honorary Officer

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
Honorary Members

Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO)

Home Civil Service
Dominion Civil Services
Indian Civil Services
Colonial Service

Imperial Service Medal

Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal

For public services in India:

Bar to the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
United Kingdom
India
Colonies, Protectorates, etc.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Royal Navy

Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Royal Navy

Bar to the Distinguished Service Medal

Royal Navy

Royal Red Cross (RRC)

Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
Territorial Army Nursing Service

Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve
Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

Military Cross (MC)

Royal Air Force

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Bar to the Air Force Cross

Air Force Medal (AFM)

King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM)

For Gallantry
England & Wales
Northern Ireland
For Distinguished Service
England & Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Australia
India
Colonies, Protectorates & Mandated Territories

Colonial Police Medal (CPM)

Southern Rhodesia
Colonies, Protectorates & Mandated Territories

Canada

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division
  • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

    Royal Canadian Naval Reserve

    Air Force Cross (AFC)

    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Air Force Medal (AFM)

    Royal Canadian Air Force