1946 New Year Honours Explained

The 1946 New Year Honours were appointments by many of the Commonwealth Realms of King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries, and to celebrate the passing of 1945 and the beginning of 1946. They were announced on 1 January 1946 for the United Kingdom,[1] [2] and Dominions,[3] Canada,[4] the Union of South Africa,[5] and New Zealand.[6]

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

Viscount

Baron

Privy Counsellors

Knight Bachelor

Dominions
India
Colonies, Protectorates, Etc.

Order of the Bath

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

Military Division
Royal Navy
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 Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)

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)

Honorary Companions

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 Chain

Royal Victorian Order

Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO)

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

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

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
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
Honorary Commander

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

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

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

See main article: 1946 New Year Honours (MBE).

Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

British Empire Medal (BEM)

See main article: 1946 New Year Honours (British Empire Medal).

Imperial Service Medal

Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Order

Distinguished Service Cross

Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Medal

Mention in Despatches

Royal Red Cross (RRC)

Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Bar to Royal Red Cross

Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force (Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service)
Acting Matrons
Sisters

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Royal Air Force
Wing Commanders
Acting Wing Commanders
Squadron Leaders
Acting Squadron Leaders
Flight Lieutenants
Acting Flight Lieutenants
Flying Officers
Pilot Officers
Warrant Officers
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Australian Air Force
Acting Wing Commander
Squadron Leader
Acting Squadron Leaders
Flight Lieutenant
Flying Officers
Royal Canadian Air Force
Squadron Leader
Flight Lieutenants
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Flight Lieutenant
Warrant Officer
Royal South African Air Force
Acting Major
Captains

Bar to Air Force Cross

Royal Air Force

Air Force Medal (AFM)

Royal Air Force
Flight Sergeants
Sergeant
Corporals
South African Air Force
Acting Sergeant
Acting Corporal

King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

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

    King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM)

    England & Wales
    Scotland
    Northern Ireland
    Australia
    India
    Colonies, Protectorates & Mandated Territories

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. United Kingdom list (1):
    2. United Kingdom list (2):
    3. Dominions list:
    4. Canada list:
    5. Union of South Africa list:
    6. New Zealand list: