1973 Special Honours

Last updated June 27, 2025

As part of the British honours system, Special Honours are issued at the Monarch's pleasure at any given time. The Special Honours refer to the awards made within royal prerogative, operational honours and other honours awarded outside the New Years Honours and Birthday Honours.

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
George Medal (GM)
British Empire Medal for Gallantry (BEM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Military Cross (MC)
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Military Medal (MM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
See also
References

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Ribbon bar of the Order of the British Empire (Military) Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.png — Ribbon bar of the Order of the British Empire (Military)

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Military Division Army

Colonel Desmond Alfred Barker-Wyatt, M.B.E. (290897) (late Royal Engineers).^[1]

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Military Division Army

Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Richard Cartwright (430258), The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Henville Chappell (418224), The Queen's Regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Laurence Crosby (387427), Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Lieutenant-Colonel David William Hanson, M.B.E. (420851), The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.^[2]
Lieutenant Colonel David Edwin Miller, M.C. (418335), The King's Own Royal Border Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Terence Southgate (414983), Royal Regiment of Artillery.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Military Division Army

Major Charles Michael John Barnes (448908), The Royal Anglian Regiment.
Major David Arthur Betley (451187), The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Major George Humphrey Bradshaw (432484), The Royal Anglian Regiment.
W/340054 Warrant Officer Class 2 Doris Audrey Brook, Women's Royal Army Corps.
Major Gavin Bulloch (454819), The Queen's Regiment.
Captain (acting Major) Anthony Arthur Denison-Smith (471244), Grenadier Guards.
Major William Robert Dickson (489435), Ulster Defence Regiment.
Captain Christopher Henry Acton Hawker (481788), The Royal Green Jackets.
Major (E.M.A.E.) John Frederick Hill (463674), Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Captain Roger Howe (473975), The Royal Anglian Regiment
Major Howard Alfred John Jordan (478114), Royal Corps of Transport.
Captain (Quartermaster) Gordon Long (478334), The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment).
Captain (Quartermaster) Frederick George Marsh (477057), The King's Own Royal Border Regiment.
Major Timothy Nolan (455070), Royal Regiment of Artillery.
Reverend Curwen Rawlinson (473425), Chaplain to the Forces Class 3, Royal Army Chaplains' Department.
Major Gerald Alexander Crozier Saunt (457270), The Light Infantry.
Major Peter Treneer-Michell (457293), The Royal Green Jackets.
Captain Geoffrey Charles Van-Orden (475684), Intelligence Corps.
23351910 Warrant Officer Class 2 (acting Warrant Officer Class 1) David Ralph Williams, Corps of Royal Military Police
Captain (Quartermaster) Francis Alan Williams (484460), The Royal Green Jackets.
23833021 Warrant Officer Class 2 Alan Heatherill Willson, Intelligence Corps.
Major John Anthony Wright (467650), 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers.

George Medal (GM)

23881153 Sergeant Kevin Callaghan, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
22995602 Warrant Officer Class 1 Frederick Herbert Eldred, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Captain John Nelson Gunson (482746), Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
22367973 Warrant Officer Class 1 Peter Edwin Spencer Gurney, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

British Empire Medal for Gallantry (BEM)

23919662 Sergeant Alan Anfield, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
23714370 Warrant Officer Class 2 John Stanley Clark, Corps of Royal Engineers.
23668269 Sergeant Anthony Riley Leak, The Light Infantry.
23678891 Staff-Sergeant Michael Daniel Maloney, The Queen's Regiment.

British Empire Medal (BEM)

23497049 Corporal (acting Sergeant) James Lee Bryce, The Parachute Regiment.
23547930 Corporal Brian Griddle, Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
23889722 Corporal (acting Sergeant) Brian Keith Dent, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
24211821 Lance Corporal John Edwards, Intelligence Corps.
23996856 Sergeant David Thomas Gibb, Army Air Corps.
23895674 Sergeant John Gordon McCrindle, Royal Corps of Signals.
23984656 Sergeant Christopher Norman Mears, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
W/424066 Corporal Jane Brown Purdie, Women's Royal Army Corps
24125069 Corporal Peter Phillip Walters, Corps of Royal Military Police.

Military Cross (MC)

Major Stuart Trevor Willcocks Anderson (453432), The Queen's Regiment.
Lieutenant David Michael Beaumont Ash (484814), The Light Infantry.
Lieutenant Francis Richard Dannatt (491436), The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment).
Lieutenant Christopher Arnold Downward (486636), The Light Infantry.
Lieutenant Stephen John Anthony Flanagan (490503), The King's Own Royal Border Regiment.
Major Roger Hugh Ker (469035), The Royal Green Jackets.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

23738257 Lance Corporal (acting Corporal) Michael Rattigan, The Royal Green Jackets.
23945040 Sergeant Nigel Whitfield, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

Military Medal (MM)

23677224 Staff Sergeant Leslie McLean Boyes, The King's Own Scottish Borderers.
23721959 Sergeant George Henry Clarke, The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment).
24122688 Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Cross, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
24076618 Guardsman James Falconer, Coldstream Guards. 23928843
24001066 Corporal John Hamilton, Corps of Royal Engineers.
Corporal Julian Laker, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
24040476 Corporal William James Monks, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
23915386 Sergeant Patrick Paul Mellon Ryan, The Queen's Regiment.
24035692 Corporal Herbert Shingleston, The King's Own Scottish Borderers.
23965687 Corporal (acting Sergeant) Rupert George Smith, The Light Infantry.
24174907 Lance Corporal William Stuart, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars.
W/439979 Lance Corporal Sarah Jane Warke, Women's Royal Army Corps.
23778545 Corporal (acting Sergeant) Eric White, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
823965677 Corporal Robert George Wootten, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Mentioned in Despatches

Palm of the Mentioned in Despatches

Major Robert Henry Aylmore (461366), Corps of Royal Engineers
Lieutenant Karl Phillip Allardyce Barclay (488384), The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)
Major John Alexander Barr (458231), Royal Army Medical Corps.
24124744 Corporal Leslie Norman Barras, Corps of Royal Military Police.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Winston Battson, M.B.E, (352320), Ulster Defence Regiment.
23916403 Sergeant Ronnie Bradley, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
Major Denis Thomas Myles Brunnan (472196), Royal Army Medical Corps.
Major Robert Daubeny Buchanan-Dunlop (463067), Scots Guards.
24205278 Staff Sergeant Samuel John Caldwell, Ulster Defence Regiment.
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) The Lord Richard Valentine Cecil (482576), Grenadier Guards.
23914661 Corporal Michael Anthony Christy, Corps of Royal Engineers.
23972318 Lance Corporal (Acting Corporal) George Albert Coney, The Royal Green Jackets.
Captain (Acting Major) Paul Howard Cordle (468971), Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant Gwynfryn Iain Davies (489180), The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Major Christopher.Rowlands Day (459240), The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
Major Antony James Barker Egremont-Lee (451587), The Light Infantry.
24127325 Lance Corporal Alan James Fairbairn, Royal Corps of Signals.
Lieutenant Malcolm James Findlay (481651), The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
24076201 Lance Corporal Geoffrey Fishwick, Grenadier Guards.
23675292 Warrant Officer Class II William John Gaskin, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
24205110 Lance Corporal Thomas Wilson George, Ulster Defence Regiment.
23784715 Sergeant Alan Richard Gibson, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Major Harold Roy Goble (443451), The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
Captain John Jeffrey Gordon (488272), Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
24093297 Lance Corporal (acting Corporal) David Ronald Grimes, The Royal Green Jackets.
23968665 Lance Corporal Joseph Haldane, Royal Corps of Signals.
Lieutenant-Colonel Leon Maxwell Halfpenny (411961), Royal Regiment of Artillery.
23979887 Lance Corporal (Acting Corporal) Michael Thomas Hall, The Light Infantry.
Lieutenant Charles Michael Fawcett Hampton (488796), 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers.
Lieutenant David Alexander Cameron Hannah (484996), The Royal Hampshire Regiment.
24199498 Corporal William Thomas Hawthorne, Ulster Defence Regiment.
Captain Guy de Vere Wingfield Hayes (480328), The Royal Green Jackets.
Major Peter Vernon Hervey (467572), 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars.
24191449 Fusilier Christopher Hobbs, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Captain (Acting Major) Murray Bernard Neville Howard (473974), Coldstream Guards.
23735817 Staff Sergeant Edward Glyn Hughes, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Captain Robin Anthony Hulf (480338), The King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Major John Gilmour Humphreys-Evans (459276), The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
24118553 Trooper Alan Jones, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars.
23951731 Sergeant Richard Michael Judd, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
Captain John Wilson Kewley (481947), The King's Regiment.
23920298 Sergeant Rodney James Knight, Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
24104022 Corporal Brian Edward Lawrence, The Royal Green Jackets.
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Nicholas Charles Lego (490356), The Royal Green Jackets.
Lieutenant Nicholas Patrick Chad Lewis (484897), The Light Infantry.
Major Colin Lindsay (440077), The King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Lieutenant Thomas Longland (485774), The Royal Anglian Regiment
Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Jeremy Lowe, M.B.E. (433179), The Light Infantry.
Colonel Egon Bjarne Madsen (383186), late Intelligence Corps.
23472937 Warrant Officer Class II Patrick Maher, The Royal Green Jackets.
Major Paul Mallalieu (449154), The Queen's Regiment.
Major Simon Hugh Cadman Marriott (467599), The Royal Green Jackets.
Major James Michael Fredrick Martin (430381), The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (28th/45th Foot).
Captain James Heggie Merrick (444749), Regular Army of Officers (late General List).
24280651 Private Thomas George Metcalfe, Ulster Defence Regiment.
Major Andre Roger Raymond Millorit (464021), Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
23855284 Sergeant Michael Morrison, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
23220474 Staff Sergeant Frederick Victor Christopher Moth, Corps of Royal Engineers.
B4283658 Acting Corporal Ian Alexander Collie Mowat, Royal Air Force.
23887353 Sergeant James Mulvaney, The Royal Green Jackets.
Brigadier Denis Leonard Ormerod, M.B.E. (350712), late Infantry.
23534843 Staff Sergeant Robert John Palmer, Corps of Royal Engineers.
24049380 Corporal Derek Parker, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
23458890 Staff Sergeant James Henry William Pearson, The Queen's Regiment.
22784540 Warrant Officer Class II Barry Phillips, Royal Corps of Transport.
Major Michael John Reynolds (446885), The King's Own Scottish Borderers.
24015147 Sergeant Alexander Robert Robertson-Ferguson, Royal Regiment of Artillery.
23664568 Staff Sergeant Gerald Robinson, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Major Terence Nigel Robinson (440441, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Major Michael Henry Sharpe (445972), The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
2nd Lieutenant Michael Guy Andre Shipley (492713), The Royal Anglian Regiment.
Captain The Honourable Philip Reginald Smith (476888), The Royal Green Jackets.
24167736 Gunner Ian David Stansfield, Royal Regiment of Artillery.
23743426 Sergeant James Struthers, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's).
24172892 Driver James Taylor, Royal Corps of Transport.
24129865 Private James Taylor, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's).
22515870 Warrant Officer Class 1 James Frederick Thornton, Royal Corps of Signals.
22337817 Warrant Officer Class I Raymond Vere Tilbury, Corps of Royal Military Police.
22900151 Staff Sergeant Donald James Varney, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
23999684 Corporal Ronald Andrew Weatheritt, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
22204919 -Staff Sergeant Thomas Joseph Wiggins, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Major Patrick Erlin Wood (459340), The Parachute Regiment.
23657528 Lance Corporal (acting Corporal) George Burton Woodhouse, The Light Infantry.
Reverend John Brian Wright, Chaplain to the Forces Third Class, Royal Army Chaplain's Department.

Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct

Lieutenant Commander Gordon Douglas Hotchkiss, M.B.E., Royal Navy.
Lieutenant Gordan James Lowrey, Royal Navy.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 23 July 1973

[2] SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 18 September 1973

[1]

[2]

v t e British honours lists
New Year Honours	1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902† 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940† 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 † Not issued because of Birthday Honours of the new monarch (1902) and World War II (1940)
Birthday Honours	1860 1861 1862 1863§ 1864§ 1865§ 1866 1867 1868§ 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876§ 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887† 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897† 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911† 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937† 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953† 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 § Not issued † Not issued because of Jubilee Honours (1887, 1897) and Coronation Honours (1911, 1937, 1953)
Coronation Honours	1821 1831 1838 1902 1911 1937 1953 2023† † Not issued
Jubilee Honours	1887 (Golden) 1897 (Diamond) 1935 (Silver) 1977 (Silver) 2002 (Golden) 2012 (Diamond) 2022 (Platinum)† † Not issued
Demise Honours	2002 (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret) 2021 (The Duke of Edinburgh) 2023 (Queen Elizabeth II)
Dissolution Honours	1874 1885 1892 1895 1900† 1906† 1910† 1918† 1922 1923† 1924 1929 1931 1935† 1945 1950 1951† 1955† 1959 1964 1966 1970 1974 (February) 1974 (October) 1979 1983 1987 1992 1997 2001 2005 2010 2015 2017† 2019 2024 † Not issued
Prime Minister's Resignation Honours	1895 1905 1916 1923 1924 1945 1951 1955† 1957† 1963 1964 1970 1976 1979† 1990 1997 2007† 2010† 2016 2019 2022 (Johnson) 2022 (Truss) 2024 † Not issued
Special Honours	1923 1952 1972 1973 1974 1977 1979 1981 1982 1983 1985 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1999 2001 2004 2006 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Additional Honours	1911 (Delhi Durbar) 1953 (Korea) 1969 (Investiture of The Prince of Wales) 1990 (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 90th Birthday)
Honours by nation	Australia Canada Ceylon India New Zealand