Varied Honours List In Britain

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28474, 2 January 1958, Page 7

Varied Honours List In Britain

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, January 1. The Queen today bestowed New Year honours on about 2200 of her subjects, ranging from Field-Marshal Sir John Harding, who until recently was Governor of Cyprus, to Hogan (“Kid”) Bassey, the little Nigerian holder of the world featherweight boxing championship. The honours list—a parade of names which reached the top in politics, science, sport, arts and public service—also includes Britain’s greatest modern philanthropist, Lord Nuffield, and Sir Norman Birkett, the brilliant criminal barrister. Sir John Harding, 61, was created a Baron. “Kid” Bassey was made M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire). He was one of several sportsmen honoured.

Others include Denis Compton, the cricketer, who becomes a Commander of the British Empire (C.8.E.) and Dai Rees, the golfer who recently led Britain to victory over America in the Ryder Cup—also a C.B.E.

Sir Norman Birkett, 73, a Lord Justice, was the second of two new barons created. Starting as an assistant in his father’s Lancashire drapery shop, he appeared eloquently for the defence in more than 20 noted murder trials and only twice did the verdict go against him. Lord Nuffield, aged 80, was made a Companion of Honour, a select order which carries no title, but is limited to 65 members. Starting at 16 with a capital of £4 and a cycle shop at Oxford, he built an automobile manufacturing empire. He is estimated to have given away £28,000,000, much of it to hospitals and universities, for medical and scientific research.

The Queen created three new baronets and 36 knights, giving their holders the title of “Sir,” but with no right of inheritance.

The baronets are Colonel Sir Robert Chapman and Mr Godfrey Nicholson, Conservative politicians, and Sir Harry Platt, former president of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Other awards include:— William Purchase (knighthood). Coroner to the Queen’s Household and responsible for inquests on “persons whose bodies were lying within the limits of any of the Queen’s Palaces or any other house where Her Majesty was then demurrant.” Alicia Markova (C.8.E.). Born Alice Marks in London 47 years ago, she “Russianised” her name and became a leading ballerina Detective Reginald Summers (Victorian Medal), the Scotland Yard man who has been personal detective to Prince Charles since he went to boarding school last September.

Other names on the British list include:—

Knights Walter Barrie, Chairman of Lloyd’s. Professor James Ramsay Montagu Butler, M.V.0., 0.8. E., Chief Historian, Cabinet Office. William Richard Joseph Cook. C. 8., Deputy Director, Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston.

Gerard John Regis Leo D’Erlanger, C.8.E., chairman, British Overseas Airways Corporation. Claude Aurelius Elliott, 0.8. E. Provost of Eton College. Frank Cyril Hawker, Director, Bank of England. Julian Sorell Huxley, biologist and writer. Edward James Norman, Chief Inspector of Taxes, Board of Inland Revenue. Thomas George Lund, C.8.E., Secretary of the Law Society. Colonel James Macbride Miller. President, Association of County Councils in Scotland. Sydney Castle Roberts, Mastei of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. Steven Runciman, for services to scholarship. ORDER OF THE BATH Knight Commander

Harry Work Melville, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. MILITARY DIVISION Knight Grand Cross Admiral Sir John Arthur Simmons Eccles, K.C.8., K.C.V.0., C.B.E. Knights Commander Vice-Admiral Robert Francis Elkins, C. 8., C.V.0., 0.8. E. Vice-Admiral Richard George Onslow, C. 8., D.S.O. Acting Air Marshall Edmund Cuthbert Hudlestorf, C. 8., C.B.E. Air Vice Marshal Arthur William Bavnes McDonald. C. 8., A.F.C. ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Knight Grand Cross Sir Harold Edgar Yarrow, chairman and managing director. Yarrow and Company, Ltd., Glasgow. Dames Commander Aiderman Miss Mary Latchford Kingsmill Jones, Manchester.

Miss Rose Macaulay, writer. Knights Commander Maurice Edward Adams, 0.8. E.. civil engineer-in-chief. Admiralty. Neville Archibald Gass, C.8.E., M.C., chairman, British Petroleum Company. Ltd. MILITARY DIVISION Knight Grand Cross Air Chief Marshal Sir Donald Hardman. K.C.8.. 0.8. E., D.F.C. Knights Commander Vice-Admiral Baffin Illingworth Robertshaw. C. 8., C.B.E. Surgeon Vice-Admiral Robert Cyril May. C. 8., 0.8. E.. M.C.. F.R.C.S.. Q.H.S. Air Marshal Patrick Brunton • Lee Potter. C.8.E., M.D., Ch.B. !• Acting Air Marshal Hugh Alex I Constantine, C. 8., C.8.E., D.S.O.