Display No. 21A
British Commonwealth Royal Orders
An order is a visible honour awarded by a state, monarch or organisation in recognition of merit. Modern honours systems have their origins in the Middle Ages in the orders of chivalry (or orders of knighthood) which in turn developed from Catholic religious orders. British Royal honours were awarded to New Zealanders from the 1850s onwards. New Zealand introduced its own honours system in 1975 and the awarding of most British honours to New Zealanders, including the Order of the British Empire (OBE), was terminated in 1996 with the introduction of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Medal(s)
Medal Description [Left to Right]:
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Established by King George V in 1917 for services to the British Empire. The Order has five classes: Knight and Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight Commander and Dame Commander (KBE / DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). The OBE badge is in silver-gilt. In December 1918, the Order was split into two divisions: a Civil Division for civilian recipients; and a Military Division for awards to commissioned officers and warrant officers for distinguished service in action. The insignia of the Civil and Military Divisions is distinguished only by the ribbon, the military award having a narrow central stripe. Prior to the introduction of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996, the Order of the British Empire was the most common honour awarded to New Zealand military personnel.
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Established by King George V in 1917 for services to the British Empire. The Order has five classes: Knight and Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight Commander and Dame Commander (KBE / DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). The MBE badge is in frosted silver. In December 1918, the Order was split into two divisions: a Civil Division for civilian recipients; and a Military Division for awards to commissioned officers and warrant officers for distinguished service in action. The insignia of the Civil and Military Divisions is distinguished only by the ribbon, the military award having a narrow central stripe. Prior to the introduction of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996, the Order of the British Empire was the most common honour awarded to New Zealand military personnel.