1951 Birthday Honours Explained

The King's Birthday Honours 1951 were appointments in 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. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of the King, and were published on 1 June 1951 for the British Empire,[1] Australia,[2] New Zealand,[3] Ceylon,[4] and Pakistan.[5] These were the last Birthday Honours awarded by George VI, who died eight months later.

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 Bachelor

State of Victoria
State of South Australia
State of Western Australia
Commonwealth Services
Colonies, Protectorates, Etc.

Order of the Bath

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

Military Division
Army
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 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)

Honorary Knight Commander

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

Honorary Companion

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)

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 Commanders

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)

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

Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO)

Home Civil Service.
Australian States and Southern Rhodesia
Colonial Service

Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division
Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force
Civil Division
United Kingdom
Commonwealth of Australia
Colonial Empire

Royal Red Cross (RRC)

Army

Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force

Air Force Cross

Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
Southern Rhodesia Air Force

Bar to Air Force Cross

Royal Air Force

Air Force Medal

King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

Royal Air Force

King's Police and Fire Services Medal

England and Wales
Police
Fire Service
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Australia
Police
Fire Service
Southern Rhodesia
Colonies & Protectorates

Colonial Police Medal

Bechuanaland Protectorate
Southern Rhodesia
Swaziland
Colonial Empire

Australia

Knight Bachelor

Order of the Bath

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Military Division
Royal Australian Air Force

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

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 British Empire

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

Civil Division

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

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

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

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

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

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

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division
Royal Australian Navy
Army
Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Royal Australian Air Force

Bar to Air Force Cross

King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

Royal Australian Air Force

New Zealand

See main article: 1951 Birthday Honours (New Zealand).

Ceylon

Knight Bachelor

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

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

Order of the British Empire

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Civil Division

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Civil Division

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Military Division
Civil Division

Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO)

Ceylon Civil Service

King's Police and Fire Services Medal

Pakistan

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

Notes and References

  1. British Empire :
  2. Australia :
  3. New Zealand :
  4. Ceylon :
  5. Pakistan :
  6. In recognition of non-operational services in Japan in connection with operations in Korea.