1944 Birthday Honours Explained

The 1944 King's Birthday Honours, celebrating the official birthday of King George VI, were announced on 2 June 1944 for the United Kingdom and British Empire, New Zealand, and South Africa.

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 British Empire

Earl

Baron

Privy Councillor

Baronet

Knight Bachelor

Dominions
India
Colonies, Protectorates, Etc.

Order of the Bath

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

Military 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 Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)

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 (MVO)

Fourth Class
Fifth Class

Order of the British Empire

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

Civil Division

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

Military Division
Civil 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

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

See main article: 1944 Birthday Honours (OBE).

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

See main article: 1944 Birthday Honours (MBE).

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

Kaisar-i-Hind Medal

In Gold

Bar to the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal

British Empire Medal (BEM)

See main article: 1944 Birthday Honours (BEM).

Imperial Service Medal

Royal Navy

Awards for gallantry or outstanding service in the face of the enemy, or for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, upholding the high tradition of the Royal Navy. The appointments and awards are for gallantry or good services in the last six months or more of war in His Majesty's Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Auxiliary Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines, Minelayers, Corvettes, Sloops, Escort Vessels, Armed Boarding Vessels, Minesweepers, Trawlers, Drifters, Yachts, Anti-Submarine Vessels, Tugs, Motor Gun Boats, Motor Torpedo Boats, Motor Launches, Patrol Ships, Naval Aircraft, Base Ships, Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships.

Bar to the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Mentioned in Despatches

Royal Red Cross (RRC)

Royal Navy
  • ...for out-standing zeal, patience & cheerfulness and for courage and wholehearted devotion to duty in HM Naval Hospitals in the last six months or more of war...
    Army
    Royal Air Force

    Bar to the Royal Red Cross

    Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

    Royal Navy
    Army
    Royal Air Force

    Honorary Chaplain to His Majesty

    Mentioned in Despatches

    See main article: 1944 Birthday Honours (Mentioned in Despatches).

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

    United Kingdom
    Royal Air Force
  • Acting Wing Commander
  • Squadron Leaders
    Acting Squadron Leaders
    Flight Lieutenants
    Acting Flight Lieutenants
    Flying Officers
    Pilot Officers
    Warrant Officer
    Flight Sergeants
    Sergeant
    Corporals
    Royal Australian Air Force
  • Squadron Leaders
  • Acting Squadron Leaders
    Flight Lieutenants
    Flying Officer
    Warrant Officer
    Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Flying Officers
  • Pilot Officer
    Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Flying Officer
  • South African Air Force
  • Captain
  • Southern Rhodesian Air Force
  • Flight Lieutenant
  • King's Commendation for Brave Conduct

    Royal Air Force
  • Flying Officer
  • Pilot Officer
    Flight Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Corporals
    Leading Aircraftmen
    Aircraftman 1st Class
    Aircraftman 2nd Class
    Royal Australian Air Force
  • Flight Lieutenant
  • Sergeant
    Corporal
    Leading Aircraftman
    Indian Air Force
  • Naik
  • Lance Naik

    Air Force Cross (AFC)

    Royal Air Force
    Royal Australian Air Force
    Royal Canadian Air Force
    Royal New Zealand Air Force
    South African Air Force
    Indian Air Force
    Royal Australian Air Force.
    Royal New Zealand Air Force

    Bar to Air Force Cross

    Second Bar to Air Force Cross

    Air Force Medal

    Royal Air Force

    King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM)

    For Gallantry
    For Distinguished Service

    Colonial Police Medal (CPM)

    For Gallantry
    For Meritorious Service

    Canada

    Order of the Bath

    Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

    Military Division
    Royal Canadian Navy
    Canadian Army
    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Order of the British Empire

    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

    Military Division
    Royal Canadian Navy
    Canadian Army
    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

    Military Division
    Royal Canadian Navy
    Canadian Army
    Royal Canadian Air Force
    Civil Division

    Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

    Military Division
    Royal Canadian Navy
    Canadian Army
    Royal Canadian Air Force
    Civil Division

    George Medal (GM)

    British Empire Medal (BEM)

    Military Division
    Royal Canadian Navy
    Canadian Army
    Royal Canadian Air Force
    Civil Division

    Royal Red Cross (RRC)

    Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps

    Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

    Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Air Force Cross (AFC)

    Royal Canadian Air Force

    Air Force Medal (AFM)

    Mentioned in Despatches

    Royal Canadian Navy
    Royal Canadian Air Force
    Wing Commanders
    Squadron Leader
    Flight Lieutenants
    Flying Officers
    Flight Officer
    Assistant Section Officer
    Warrant Officer, Class I
    Warrant Officers, Class II
    Flight Sergeants
    Sergeant
    Corporal

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

    South Africa

    Order of the Bath

    Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

    Military Division

    Order of the British Empire

    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

    Military Division

    Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

    Military Division

    Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

    Military Division
    South African Naval Forces
    South African Army
    South African Air Force

    British Empire Medal (BEM)

    Military Division
    South African Naval Forces
    South African Army
    South African Air Force

    Royal Red Cross (RRC)

    South African Military Nursing Service

    Air Force Cross (AFC)

    South African Air Force

    Bar to the Air Force Cross