Order of British Empire?

Question

Hi, I was just wondering what rank order the medals you get were in. I thought it went OBE being the most greatest, then MBE, then CBE. But I think I am wrong. Apperently, on some sites, there are such things as GBE, KBE and DBE. Can anyone please help me by putting the above titles in order of rank, with the greatest first, and could you also put what each of it stands for? That would really help! Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Visit http://www.honours.gov/uk  for all of the information you need. I think in the Order of the British Empire,in order from lowest to highest is:  MBE,OBE,CBE,KBE/DBE,GBE.

PICTURES:

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4886....  

for The Order of the British Empire

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4885....

for the Royal Victorian Order

http://www.royal.gov/uk/Page4884.asp

for the Order of St. Michael and St. George

http://www.royal.gov./uk/output/Page4883...

for the Order of the Bath

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4880....

for The Order of St. Patrick

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4879....

for the Order of the Thistle

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4878....

for the Order of the Garter

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4872....

for Insignia for a Commander of the Order of the British Empire or CBE

The honours.gov site has a link to Toye,Kenning & Spence. They have an OBE emblem shop.

http://www.tksmedalsandribbons.com

http://www.medals.org.uk/united-kingdom/...

for the Companion of Honour

http://en.wikipedia.or/wiki/Order_of_Mer...

for The Order of Merit

Here's some more from the site,including what the letters mean:

"The Orders of Chivalry

The honours system has grown and evolved from its fourteenth century origins and today there are ten orders and one appointment available to those performing meritorious service. Some of the countries of which The Queen is head of state also use some of these awards. The following awards are made personally by The Sovereign:

The Most Noble Order of the Garter

Motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks this evil)

Date created: 1348

Level: Knight/Lady of the Garter

Post nominal letters: KG/LG

Remarks: Limited to 25 Knights

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious of the meritorious orders. The Order was founded by Edward III in the 14th century. The origins of its name and motto are obscure. The chapel of the order is St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle

Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity)

Date created: 1687

Level: Knight/Lady of the Thistle

Post nominal letters: KT/LT

The Order of the Thistle has ancient roots, but was only established on a statutory basis by James II in 1687. It is limited to 16 Knights (women were admitted in 1987), all of whom must be Scottish.

The Order of Merit

Date created: 1902

Level: Member of the Order of Merit

Post nominal letters: OM

This order was created by Edward VII to recognise nationally distinguished contributions in science, art, music, literature and public life. There is also a military division which is used to award exceptional military leaders in time of war. The order is limited to 24 members.

The Royal Victorian Order

Date created: 1896

Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCVO) Knight/Dame Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCVO/DCVO) Commander (Post Nominal Letters: CVO) Lieutenant (Post Nominal Letters: LVO) Member (Post Nominal Letters: MVO)

Given for services to The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. There is also a medal, the Royal Victorian Medal, with three grades, gold, silver and bronze. The chapel of the order is The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy.

Other awards are made by The Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Secretary of State for Defence and include:

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

Motto: Tria Juncta in uno (Three joined in one)

Date Created: 1725

Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCB) Knight/Dame Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCB/DCB) Companion (Post Nominal Letters: CB)

The Order of the Bath is another order with ancient roots. It takes it name from the ceremonial bathing that preceded investiture in medieval times. The order was formally established in 1725 and is awarded to state servants (including members of the Armed Forces). It has a military division and a civil division. The chapel of the Order is in Westminster Abbey.

The Order of St Michael and St George

Motto: Auspicium Melioris Aevi (Token of a better age)

Date Created: 1818

Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCMG) Knight/Dame Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCMG/DCMG) Companion (Post Nominal Letters: CMG)

This order was created in the early part of the 19th century to reward service in Malta and the Ionian islands. It has since evolved to encompass any members of the Diplomatic Service and those who render service to UK interests overseas. The chapel of the order is in St Paul's cathedral.

The Order of the British Empire

Motto: For God and the Empire

Date Created: 1917

Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GBE) Knight/Dame Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KBE/DBE) Commander (Post Nominal Letters: CBE) Officer (Post Nominal Letters: OBE) Member (Post Nominal Letters: MBE)

This order was instituted by George V to recognise all levels of service to the country during the first 'total' war. It has evolved to embrace service and achievement in all fields. The Order has a military division and a civil division. The chapel of the order is in St Paul's Cathedral. The British Empire Medal has not been used in the United Kingdom since 1993.

The Order of the Companions of Honour

Motto: In action faithful, in honour clear

Date Created: 1917

Levels: Companion

Post Nominal Letters: CH

This order is similar to the Order of Merit in that it is awarded to people who perform important service to the nation in select fields. Its membership is limited to 65 companions

Other Awards

The Imperial Service Order was created in 1902 with one level of award - Companion - and a medal for civil servants. The Companion award ceased to be used in the United Kingdom in 1993, but the Imperial Service Medal continues to be awarded to civil servants who have completed 25 years of service in a non-managerial grade.

The Distinguished Service Order was created in 1886 and has only one level of award - Companion. It is awarded to officers of the armed forces for gallantry and leadership in action. It can be awarded to officers of the Merchant Navy in time of war.

The appointment of Knight Bachelor (to men only) originates from the medieval period and recipients are called 'Sir' but have no post nominal letters. There is no equivalent appointment for women (the DBE is awarded instead).

Summary of post nominal letters

Summary of post nominal letters  Order  Est.  Levels                

Order of the Garter  1348  K/LG  -  -  -  -  -  

Order of the Thistle  1687  K/LT  -  -  -  -  -  

Order of the Bath  1725  GCB  K/DCB  CB  -  -  -  

Order of Merit  1902  OM  -  -  -  -  -  

Order of St Michael And St George  1818  GCMG  K/DCMG  CMG  -  -  -  

Royal Victorian Order  1896  GCVO  K/DCVO  CVO  LVO  MVO  RVM  

Order of the British Empire  1917  GBE  K/DBE  CBE  OBE  MBE  BEM  

Order of the Companions of Honour  1917  CH  -  -  -  -  -  

Distinguished Service Order  1886  -  -  DSO  -  -  -  

Imperial Service Order  1902  -  -  ISO  -  -  ISM  "

Answer 2

In order of rank:

GBE - Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the British Empire.

KBE/DBE - Knight/Dame of the British Empire.

CBE - Commander of the British Empire.

OBE - Officer of the British Empire.

MBE - Member of the British Empire.

BEM - British Empire Medal - part of the same Order but no longer awarded.