1946 New Year Honours

1946 New Year Honours were appointments by George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight service across the British Empire and Allied nations during the concluding year of the Second World War. The list, published on 1 January 1946, recognised exceptional contributions in military command, civil defence, colonial administration, science, and industry. It reflected the transition from global conflict to post-war reconstruction, honouring figures from the Battle of Britain to the Burma Campaign.

British Empire

The honours within the Order of the British Empire formed the list's core, acknowledging widespread service across the Commonwealth. Key appointments included Gwilym Lloyd George, the Minister of Fuel and Power, as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, and industrialist John Greenly as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for munitions work. Senior colonial officials like Arthur Grimble, Governor of the Windward Islands, were also honoured, alongside figures from the Women's Voluntary Service and the Royal Observer Corps. The list notably included awards for Allied personnel, such as United States Navy officers involved in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Knights Bachelor

This section created new Knights Bachelor, primarily for public service and industry. Recipients included Cecil Weir, a key figure in the Ministry of Supply and post-war economic planning, and William Garrett, the Chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board. Legal and judicial service was recognised with knighthoods for barristers like Walter Monckton, who served as Director-General of the Ministry of Information, and Patrick Devlin, a notable High Court judge. Others honoured were Philip Guedalla for his historical writings and John Keane for political and military service.

Promotions in the Royal Navy

Senior naval officers were promoted within the Order of the Bath and the Order of the British Empire for wartime command. Vice-Admiral Harold Walker was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for his role in the Arctic convoys. Rear-Admiral Cecil Harcourt, who accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in Hong Kong, became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Notable Companion of the Order of the Bath appointments included Captain Anthony Miers of HMS *Torbay* fame.

Promotions in the Army

Army promotions honoured leadership in major theatres of the war. Lieutenant-General Oliver Leese, commander of the Eighth Army in Italy, was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. Major-General Gordon MacMillan was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his service with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in the North-West Europe campaign. Awards also recognised specialists, such as Brigadier John Kennedy of the War Office and engineers involved in the D-Day landings.

Promotions in the Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force list highlighted achievements in air command and technical innovation. Air Marshal James Robb, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett, founder of the Pathfinder Force, was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. Notable appointments within the Order of the British Empire included Group Captain John Cunningham for night-fighter development and Air Commodore Frank Whittle for pioneering the jet engine.

Category:1946 honours Category:New Year Honours Category:British Empire honours and awards