In the summer of 1917 King George V founded The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as means of filling in some gaps (“mind the gap”) in the Honours System. His Majesty especially wished to honour those who so diligently served in non-combatant capacities during the still-raging Great War.
Now composed of five (civil and military) classes, with only the first two entitling the recipient to use “knight” or “dame” (or “Sir” or “Madame”), here in descending order of distinction are The Orders of Chivalry:
- Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
- Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
- Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
As she has done for nearly 60 years, HRH Elizabeth II (i.e. the British Monarch) serves as Sovereign of the Order and on the advice of the Government appoints all members of the Order, which is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. Although there is no limit to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, no more than 858 Officers and 1,464 Members may be appointed per year.
The MBE, with its motto “For God and the Empire,” is by far the largest of these honorary orders, with over 100,000 living members worldwide. One among them is Birmingham raised Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading who, at the age of 50, received her “membership” at a Buckingham Palace ceremony in 2001.
“It was absolutely brilliant, to have received the honour from Prince Charles,” she said at the time. “I just think he is a great guy and he has done such incredible work with the Prince’s Trust.”
That was a memorable year for Armatrading who, after five years of study, also received her BA (Honours of course) in History from the Open University, where she is now a trustee. Surely it rates right up there with 1976 when this, her breakthrough single, reached Number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
It’s the Fourth in a series of Love-themed songs for the week.
LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Thursday 20 September
Love and Affection
I am not in love
But I’m open to persuasion
East or West
Where’s the best
For romancing
With a friend
I can smile
But with a lover
I could roll my head back
I could really laugh
Really laugh
Thank you
You took me dancing
‘Cross the floor
Cheek to cheek
But with a lover
I could really move
Really move
I could really dance
Really dance
Really dance
Really dance
I could really move
Really move
Really move
Really move
Now if I can feel the sun
In my eyes
And the rain on my face
Why can’t I
Feel love?
I can really love
Really love
Really love
Really love
Really love
Love Love Love Love
Love Love Love Love
Now I got all
The friends that I want
I may need more
But I shall just stick to those
That I have got
With friends I still feel
So insecure
Little darling I believe you could
Help me a lot
Just take my hand
And lead me where you will
No conversation
No wave goodnight
Just make love
With affection
Sing me another love song
But this time
With a little dedication
Sing it, sing it
You know that’s what I like
Once more with feeling
Give me love
Give me love
Give me love
Love…
Make love with affection
Sing me another love song
But this time
With a little dedication
Sing it, Sing it…
You know that’s what I like
Once more with feeling
Sing me another love song
But this time
With a little dedication
Sing it, Sing it
You know that’s what I like
With affection
With a little dedication
Once more with feeling
You know that’s what I like
Love…
thisrightbrain 