1945 Birthday Honours

1945 Birthday Honours
Name	1945 Birthday Honours
Date	14 June 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Sovereign	George VI
Awarded for	Service during the Second World War
Knight bachelor	48
Knight grand cross	10
Knight commander	50
Companion	30
Officer	100
Member	150
Other	200
Previous	1945 New Year Honours
Next	1946 New Year Honours

1945 Birthday Honours. The 1945 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight service during the concluding phase of the Second World War. Published on 14 June 1945, the list recognized contributions from across the British Empire, including significant military leadership and vital civilian efforts on the Home Front. The honours were gazetted as the war in Europe had ended with Victory in Europe Day, but conflict continued in the Pacific War.

Overview

The 1945 Birthday Honours list was one of the most significant of the war years, reflecting the immense national effort across the British Empire. It was promulgated shortly after the Allied victory in the European Theatre and during the ongoing Battle of Okinawa. The list encompassed a broad spectrum of recipients, from senior commanders of the British Army and the Royal Navy to scientists, industrialists, and civil servants who supported the war economy. The honours were distributed across established orders including the Order of the Bath, the Order of St Michael and St George, and the Order of the British Empire.

List of Honours

The honours were divided into the traditional hierarchical categories within each order. Key appointments included new Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG). The Order of the British Empire saw numerous appointments across all five classes, from Knight Grand Cross (GBE) to Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM). Separate lists for the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Dominion of New Zealand were also published, recognizing local service.

Political and Military Honours

Political and military figures were prominently featured. Senior military honourees included Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, who was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. General Sir Miles Dempsey, commander of the British Second Army during the Normandy landings, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. On the political side, long-serving parliamentarians and key government ministers were recognized for their wartime roles, with several elevations within the Order of St Michael and St George and the Royal Victorian Order.

Civilian Honours

The civilian list was extensive, honouring contributions to the Home Front, science, industry, and the arts. Notable awards included knighthoods for industrialists who had revolutionized wartime production and for leading scientists from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Figures from the BBC and the Ministry of Information were recognized for maintaining public morale, while medical professionals who had served in the Emergency Medical Service were appointed to the Order of the British Empire. The list also included awards for voluntary service with organizations like the Women's Voluntary Service.

Notable Recipients

Among the most distinguished recipients was Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander, who was appointed a Knight of the Garter for his leadership as Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean. Scientist Sir Henry Tizard, a pivotal figure in the development of radar, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Other notable figures included colonial administrators from British India and Africa, and cultural luminaries such as playwright Noël Coward, who was appointed a Knight Bachelor for his contributions to the war effort through entertainment.

Historical Context

The 1945 Birthday Honours were announced in a period of transition between war and peace. The list was compiled before the final surrender of Japan but after the Potsdam Conference had begun planning the post-war order. It served as a penultimate grand recognition of wartime service before the post-war 1946 New Year Honours. The honours reflected the societal changes wrought by the war, with an unprecedented number of awards to women and civilians, signalling a shift in how national service was defined and celebrated in the United Kingdom and the British Empire.

Category:1945 honours lists Category:Birthday Honours Category:1945 in the United Kingdom