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The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was established by King George V on June 4, 1917.
Answer: True
Explanation: King George V instituted the Order of the British Empire on June 4, 1917.
The institution of the Order of the British Empire was intended to acknowledge valuable service rendered across a broad spectrum of useful activities.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Order was founded to recognize valuable contributions in diverse fields, encompassing both military and civilian endeavors.
From its inception, the Order was designed to offer equitable recognition for services performed both domestically within the United Kingdom and internationally overseas.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Order's founding principle was to acknowledge valuable contributions regardless of geographical location, ensuring parity between UK and overseas services.
Identify the sovereign who established the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the year of its institution.
Answer: King George V in 1917
Explanation: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was established by King George V in the year 1917.
Ascertain the principal motivation underpinning the establishment of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: To recognize valuable services across a broad spectrum of activities, including non-combat roles during WWI.
Explanation: The Order was created to acknowledge valuable services rendered in a wide array of activities, notably recognizing contributions during World War I beyond direct combat roles.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire comprises six distinct classes of awards, encompassing both civil and military divisions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Order comprises five classes of appointment (GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE, MBE) and the British Empire Medal (BEM).
Individuals appointed to the rank of Knight Commander or Dame Commander within the Order are entitled to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame,' respectively, preceding their given names.
Answer: True
Explanation: Recipients of the Knight Commander (KBE) and Dame Commander (DBE) ranks are entitled to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before their forenames, provided the award is not honorary.
The British Empire Medal (BEM) is considered a form of membership within the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: While recipients of the British Empire Medal are associated with the Order, they are not considered members of it; it is a distinct, affiliated award.
Annual appointment quotas are imposed for the Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE) ranks within the Order.
Answer: True
Explanation: While there are no overall limits on the total number of Officers and Members appointed, specific annual quotas exist: no more than 858 Officers and 1,464 Members can be appointed annually.
Recipients of honorary awards within the Order are permitted to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Honorary award recipients are not entitled to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame'; this privilege is reserved for substantive Knight or Dame Commanders.
Commencing January 14, 1958, gallantry awards within the Order were specifically designated as Commander, Officer, or Member of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry.
Answer: True
Explanation: From January 14, 1958, gallantry awards were formally designated as Commander, Officer, or Member of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry.
Male clergy ordained subsequent to 1922 are precluded from using the title 'Sir,' even if appointed to a knighthood within the Order.
Answer: False
Explanation: Male clergy ordained after 1922 do not use the title 'Sir' because they do not receive the accolade, but they still retain the post-nominal letters if knighted.
The post-nominal letters designated for a Dame Commander are KBE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The post-nominal letters for a Dame Commander are DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire), not KBE.
The wives of male members, irrespective of their class of appointment within the Order, are permitted to prefix 'Lady' to their surnames.
Answer: True
Explanation: Wives of male recipients of any class within the Order may use the title 'Lady' before their surname.
The post-nominal letters associated with the rank of Commander within the Order are MBE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The post-nominal letters for a Commander of the Order are CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), not MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
Identify the lowest class of appointment within the hierarchy of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: Member (MBE)
Explanation: The Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) represents the lowest class of appointment within the Order's structure.
Determine the correct post-nominal letters for a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: GBE
Explanation: The post-nominal letters for a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire are GBE.
Ascertain the nature of recognition conferred by the British Empire Medal (BEM).
Answer: Valuable service to the nation and community.
Explanation: The British Empire Medal is awarded to recognize valuable service rendered to the nation and community.
Within the Order, awards for gallantry were historically distinguished by oak leaves on the clasp, whereas awards for meritorious service were marked with laurel leaves.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1922, awards for gallantry were marked with laurel leaves on the clasp, and awards for meritorious service received oak leaves. This distinction was later superseded by other emblems for gallantry.
The insignia of the Order underwent a redesign in 1937, incorporating crowned effigies of King George V and Queen Mary.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1937 redesign of the Order's insignia featured crowned effigies of King George V and Queen Mary, commemorating their reign.
Subsequent to Queen Mary's assumption of the role of Grand Master, the riband's color was altered from its original purple to rose-pink, edged with pearl grey.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following Queen Mary's appointment as Grand Master in 1936, the riband's color was changed from purple to rose-pink, edged with pearl grey.
The emblem denoting a gallantry award for appointments made after January 14, 1958, comprises two crossed gold oak leaves.
Answer: False
Explanation: The emblem signifying gallantry awards after January 14, 1958, consists of two crossed *silver* oak leaves, not gold.
The modifications made to the insignia in 1937 served to commemorate the reign of King George VI.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1937 insignia changes were made in commemoration of the reign of King George V and Queen Mary.
The reverse side of the Order's badge displays the motto 'For God and the Empire'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The motto 'For God and the Empire' is inscribed on the *obverse* side of the badge, within the circlet surrounding the effigy of the Sovereign.
Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the Order's riband as a broad sash extending from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Answer: False
Explanation: Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the Order's riband as a broad sash passing from the *right* shoulder to the left hip.
The eight-pointed star insignia is exclusively worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear an eight-pointed star, Knights and Dames Commander wear a smaller star composed of four equal points and four lesser points.
Mantles, hats, and collars were instituted for members of the highest class, Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), in 1929.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1929, regalia including mantles, hats, and collars were introduced for members of the GBE class, aligning the Order with other chivalric orders.
The collar of the Order is composed of medallions featuring the Royal Arms alternating with Queen Mary's cypher.
Answer: False
Explanation: The collar consists of medallions depicting the Royal Arms alternating with King George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher (GRI), not Queen Mary's cypher.
The reverse side of the British Empire Medal displays an image of Britannia surrounded by the motto.
Answer: False
Explanation: The reverse of the British Empire Medal displays King George V's Imperial and Royal Cypher and the inscription 'Instituted by King George V', not Britannia surrounded by the motto.
Knights and Dames Grand Cross are permitted to display the Order's collar encircling their coat of arms.
Answer: True
Explanation: Recipients of the highest rank, Knights and Dames Grand Cross, have the privilege of displaying the Order's collar surrounding their coat of arms.
The presence of an oak leaf emblem on the ribbon denotes an award conferred for meritorious service.
Answer: False
Explanation: The oak leaf emblem, specifically two crossed silver oak leaves, signifies an award made for gallantry, not meritorious service.
The initial color of the riband for the Order of the British Empire was rose-pink.
Answer: False
Explanation: The original riband color was purple; it was changed to rose-pink edged with pearl grey in 1937.
What specific distinction was applied to the Medal of the Order in 1922 concerning awards for gallantry?
Answer: They were marked with laurel leaves on the clasp.
Explanation: In 1922, awards for gallantry made to recipients of the Medal of the Order were distinguished by the addition of laurel leaves on the clasp.
Identify the significant alteration made to the Order's insignia in the year 1937.
Answer: Crowned effigies of King George V and Queen Mary replaced Britannia on the badge.
Explanation: In 1937, the insignia were redesigned to feature crowned effigies of King George V and Queen Mary, replacing the image of Britannia on the badge.
What specific privilege do Knights and Dames Grand Cross possess concerning the display of the Order's insignia around their coats of arms?
Answer: They can display the Order's collar surrounding their arms.
Explanation: Knights and Dames Grand Cross are entitled to display the Order's collar encircling their coat of arms, a privilege not extended to lower ranks.
Describe the method by which gallantry awards are designated for members appointed after January 14, 1958.
Answer: By the addition of crossed silver oak leaves on the ribbon.
Explanation: Gallantry awards conferred after January 14, 1958, are signified by the addition of two crossed silver oak leaves on the ribbon.
Describe the design featured on the obverse side of the British Empire Medal.
Answer: Britannia surrounded by the motto, with 'For Meritorious Service' at the bottom.
Explanation: The obverse of the British Empire Medal depicts Britannia encircled by the Order's motto, with the inscription 'For Meritorious Service' positioned at the base.
What is the significance attributed to the change in the Order's riband color to rose-pink edged with pearl grey in 1937?
Answer: It reflected Queen Mary's preference as Grand Master.
Explanation: The alteration of the riband color to rose-pink edged with pearl grey in 1937 is widely understood to reflect the personal preference of Queen Mary, who served as Grand Master.
Identify the class within the Order of the British Empire whose star is composed of four equal points and four lesser points.
Answer: Knight Commander (KBE)
Explanation: The star worn by Knights Commander (KBE) and Dames Commander (DBE) consists of four equal points and four lesser points.
What is the significance attributed to the change in the Order's riband color to rose-pink edged with pearl grey in 1937?
Answer: It reflected Queen Mary's preference as Grand Master.
Explanation: The change in the riband color to rose-pink edged with pearl grey in 1937 is widely understood to reflect the personal preference of Queen Mary, who served as Grand Master.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was instituted exclusively for the recognition of military contributions during World War I.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Order was established to recognize valuable service across a wide array of useful activities, not solely military contributions during World War I.
In December 1922, the statutes governing the Order were amended to establish a peacetime footing, which resulted in an increase in military appointments.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1922 amendment aimed to place the Order on a peacetime footing by limiting appointments and stipulating that senior Civil Division awards should outnumber Military Division awards by a ratio of six to one, thus not increasing military appointments.
The quantity of military awards conferred during World War II experienced a substantial reduction owing to wartime restrictions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, the number of military awards significantly increased during World War II, with over 33,000 appointments made between 1939 and 1946.
St Paul's Cathedral was officially designated as the chapel for the Order in 1957, with its dedicated chapel consecrated in 1960.
Answer: True
Explanation: The designation of St Paul's Cathedral as the Order's chapel occurred in May 1957, and a specific chapel within the cathedral was consecrated in 1960.
The reforms implemented in 1993 under Prime Minister John Major sought to diminish the recognition afforded to voluntary service.
Answer: False
Explanation: Prime Minister John Major's 1993 reforms aimed to broaden the recognition of exceptional service, with a particular emphasis on voluntary service, and to end automatic honors.
A report published in 2004 proposed the renaming of the Order of the British Empire to the Order of British Excellence.
Answer: True
Explanation: A 2004 House of Commons committee report suggested phasing out the Order of the British Empire, proposing its title be changed to the Order of British Excellence, though these suggestions were not adopted.
The conferral of non-military awards of the British Empire Medal recommenced in 2012, aligning with Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
Answer: True
Explanation: The resumption of non-military British Empire Medal awards in 2012 was linked to the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The designated Chapel of the Order of the British Empire is situated within Westminster Abbey.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire is located in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, London.
Significant services pertaining to the entire Order are presently conducted within the nave of St Paul's Cathedral.
Answer: True
Explanation: While St Paul's Cathedral houses the Order's dedicated chapel, major services for the entire Order are now held in the cathedral's nave.
A distinct Military Division was incorporated into the Order in August 1918.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Military Division was established in August 1918, a short period after the Order's initial foundation, to specifically recognize naval and military personnel.
Ascertain the year in which the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire was instituted.
Answer: In August 1918, shortly after the Order's foundation.
Explanation: The Military Division of the Order of the British Empire was established in August 1918, a short period after the Order's initial foundation.
Ascertain the location designated as the chapel for the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: St Paul's Cathedral
Explanation: St Paul's Cathedral in London serves as the designated chapel for the Order of the British Empire.
Describe a principal reform instituted by Prime Minister John Major in 1993 pertaining to the national honours system.
Answer: Emphasis on recognizing voluntary service and ending automatic honors.
Explanation: Prime Minister John Major's 1993 reforms emphasized the recognition of voluntary service and aimed to discontinue automatic honours, thereby broadening the scope of award recipients.
As per the 2004 report, what proposal was made concerning the nomenclature of the Order of the British Empire?
Answer: To rename it the Order of British Excellence.
Explanation: A 2004 report recommended phasing out the Order of the British Empire, suggesting its title be changed to the Order of British Excellence.
In 2012, the conferral of non-military awards of the British Empire Medal was reinstated, coinciding with which significant occasion?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee
Explanation: The resumption of non-military British Empire Medal awards in 2012 was linked to the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
All officers of the Order are appointed by the British Sovereign, generally upon the recommendation of the United Kingdom government.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sovereign holds the ultimate authority for appointing all officers of the Order, typically acting on governmental advice.
The Grand Master holds a position of significant seniority within the hierarchy of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Grand Master is the second-most senior officer of the Order, appointed by the Sovereign.
Her Majesty Queen Camilla assumed the position of Grand Master in April 2024.
Answer: True
Explanation: Queen Camilla became the Grand Master of the Order in April 2024.
Edward, Prince of Wales, held the inaugural position of Grand Master of the Order.
Answer: True
Explanation: Edward, Prince of Wales, served as the first Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire from its establishment in 1917.
Identify the individual who serves as the Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: The British Sovereign
Explanation: The reigning British Sovereign holds the position of Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire.
Identify the second-most senior officer within the Order, appointed directly by the Sovereign.
Answer: The Grand Master
Explanation: The Grand Master is appointed by the Sovereign and holds the second-highest office within the Order's structure.
Identify the individual who does not hold one of the six designated officer positions within the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: Chancellor (Lord Chancellor)
Explanation: The Chancellor (Lord Chancellor) is not one of the six official officers of the Order; the officers include the Prelate, Dean, Secretary, Registrar, King of Arms, and Lady Usher of the Purple Rod.
Identify the individual who served as the inaugural Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: Edward, Prince of Wales
Explanation: Edward, Prince of Wales, was appointed as the first Grand Master of the Order upon its institution in 1917.
In the early 1940s, Commonwealth dominion governments commenced the process of submitting their own nominations for overseas awards.
Answer: True
Explanation: The system evolved to permit Commonwealth dominion governments, such as Canada and South Africa starting in 1942, to make their own nominations for awards.
Canada discontinued its practice of recommending individuals for appointments to the Order of the British Empire in 1996.
Answer: False
Explanation: Canada ceased recommending individuals for the Order in 1966, not 1996. Other realms like Australia and New Zealand also altered their usage over time.
Within the 21st-century framework of award quotas, Community, voluntary, and local service is allocated the largest proportion of awards in the Order.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 21st century, Community, voluntary, and local service receives the largest proportion of awards among the nine recognized categories.
As of 2024, the government of the United States submits recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United States government does not make recommendations for appointments to the Order. As of 2024, specific Commonwealth realms and territories make nominations.
The Honours Forfeiture Committee is vested with the authority to render the definitive decision regarding the annulment of an honour.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Honours Forfeiture Committee recommends cases for annulment; the final decision rests with the Sovereign.
An individual possesses the capacity to formally renounce their honour from the Order, thereby initiating its annulment.
Answer: False
Explanation: An individual cannot formally annul their honour; while they may symbolically renounce it, the honour officially remains unless annulled by the Sovereign.
John Lennon returned his Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) insignia as a protest against the Vietnam War.
Answer: True
Explanation: John Lennon returned his MBE in 1969 as a political statement against the Vietnam War and other international conflicts.
Chin Peng's Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) was rescinded due to his participation in fighting against the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: Chin Peng's OBE was withdrawn by the British government because he led an insurgency against the British during the Malayan Emergency, not for fighting the Japanese.
Eligibility for receiving awards within the Order encompasses citizens of Commonwealth realms and British nationals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Awards are open to British nationals and citizens of Commonwealth realms, with honorary awards available for citizens of other nations.
David Bowie is among the prominent individuals who accepted an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Answer: False
Explanation: David Bowie is listed among notable individuals who declined an honour from the Order of the British Empire.
Identify a Commonwealth country that was among the initial nations to submit independent nominations for the Order of the British Empire in the early 1940s.
Answer: Canada
Explanation: Canada was among the first Commonwealth dominion governments, alongside South Africa, to begin making its own nominations for the Order in the early 1940s.
Identify a country from the following list that has discontinued its practice of recommending individuals for the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: Australia
Explanation: Australia ceased recommending individuals for the Order of the British Empire in 1992, although other Commonwealth realms continue to utilize the system.
Under the 21st-century quota system, which category of service receives the most substantial proportion of awards within the Order?
Answer: Community/voluntary/local
Explanation: In the 21st century, the category of Community, voluntary, and local service is allocated the largest proportion of awards within the Order's quota system.
Detail the outcome concerning Chin Peng's Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Answer: It was withdrawn by the British government after he led an insurgency.
Explanation: Chin Peng's OBE was withdrawn by the British government due to his leadership of an insurgency against British forces during the Malayan Emergency.
Describe the procedure through which an individual may formally renounce their honour from the Order of the British Empire.
Answer: The honour cannot be formally renounced; it remains unless annulled by the monarch.
Explanation: An individual cannot formally annul their honour; while they may symbolically renounce it, the honour officially remains unless annulled by the Sovereign.
Ascertain the principal function performed by the Honours Forfeiture Committee.
Answer: To recommend cases for the annulment of honours.
Explanation: The primary role of the Honours Forfeiture Committee is to review cases and recommend potential annulments of honours to the Sovereign.
Identify which of the following is not among the reasons cited by individuals for declining an honour from the Order.
Answer: Belief that the award was insufficient recognition.
Explanation: While opposition to the system, historical associations with the Empire, and avoidance of political issues have been cited, the belief that an award was insufficient recognition is not a commonly documented reason for declining.