The Canadian Honours System. Christopher McCreery
civil BEM was used to recognize public servants and people involved in jobs below management posts. The military and civil BEMs were also used to recognize acts of gallantry.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse depicting a seated effigy of Britannia holding a trident and circumscribed by the text FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE with FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE at the base. The reverse displays the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown in the centre (GRIV) circumscribed by four lions. The reverse of the medal was changed following the death of King George V and has subsequently displayed the Royal Cypher (GRI, GVIR, or EIIR) surmounted by a crown in the centre and circumscribed by two lions on each side with the text INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V.
Suspender: A claw suspender composed of a trio of stylized oak leaves attached to a straight suspension bar.
Ribbon: Same variations as the ribbon of the Order of the British Empire, though 32 mm in width.
Bars: The BEM could be awarded with a bar; however, no Canadian received one. From 1957 to 1974, those awarded the BEM for gallantry were entitled to wear silver oak leaf devices on their ribbons to indicate that their awards were made in recognition of gallant acts.
Naming: Engraved or impressed capitals around the rim.
Postnominals: BEM.
Other: Struck at the Royal Mint.
Number Awarded to Canadians: 1,318.
• Military George V issue: 2.
• Civil George V issue: 1.
• Military George VI issue: 1,143 (Second World War).
• Civil George VI issue: 97 (Second World War).
• Military George VI issue: 38 (27 Korean War + 11 post-Korea).
• Civil George VI issue: 0.
• Military Elizabeth II issue: 15.
• Civil Elizabeth II issue: 22 (all gallantry).
The Order of the Companions of Honour
Founded by King George V on June 4, 1917, the order was originally established as a non-titular alternative to the various imperial orders of chivalry. Over time it has largely been treated as a junior level of the Order of Merit. Originally limited to only fifty members, it was initially bestowed upon leaders who had performed conspicuous service during the First World War.
In 1943 the British government decided to expand the order, and Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa were asked whether or not they would like a certain number allotted for their residents. Australia and New Zealand were keen to be involved while, not surprisingly, Canada and South Africa declined the offer. At this time Canadian officials were in the process of creating the Canadian Award of Honour, the Canadian Decoration of Honour, and the Canada Medal. The Canadian government felt that with the impending establishment of these new Canadian awards there would be no need for Britain to put aside a certain number of CH appointments.
Order of the Companions of Honour obverse.
The revised 1943 statutes of the order set out the following quotas: United Kingdom, forty-five; Australia, seven; New Zealand, two; other Commonwealth nations, eleven — for a total of sixty-five. Had Canada accepted the British offer, it would have been allotted seven appointments, while Australia’s quota would have been reduced to five. Appointments would have been made by the Sovereign based on the advice of the Canadian prime minister, a procedure that was used in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand (upon the advice of their respective prime ministers).
The first CH to be bestowed upon a Canadian was awarded to General Harry Crerar, the general officer commanding the 1st Canadian Army in 1944. He had been nominated as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, but the Canadian government would not entertain such an award. The CH was therefore considered because it was not a knighthood, yet it was still a senior honour. The recommendation to King George VI came from the Canadian minister of national defence after being cleared by the prime minister.
Order of the Companions of Honour reverse.
Vincent Massey’s CH appointment, the second to a Canadian, was initiated by King George VI. Initially, Prime Minister Mackenzie King refused to approve the appointment, but he acquiesced after considering Massey’s outstanding record of service as high commissioner to London.
General Andrew McNaughton was appointed to the order on the advice of the Canadian prime minister. He was the last Canadian to be appointed to the order for twenty-five years. This dry spell ended when Dr. Charles Best, the co-discoverer of insulin, was appointed in 1971. He was followed by Arnold Smith, the first secretary general of the Commonwealth, who was appointed to the CH in 1975 at the initiative of Queen Elizabeth II.
John Diefenbaker had refused the order when he was first offered it in 1962 — at which time he was serving as prime minister — but accepted an appointment in 1976. The British prime minister put his name forward after consulting Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. There is some evidence that Trudeau initiated the appointment, feeling that Diefenbaker deserved recognition and no doubt being aware that, as an active politician, he was ineligible for the Order of Canada. Trudeau himself would be made a CH in 1984, shortly after his final retirement from politics. His appointment was initiated by both the British and Canadian governments.
A recent Canadian to be appointed to the order is General John de Chastelain, former chief of the defence staff and former Canadian ambassador to the United States. His appointment was in recognition of his work on the Northern Ireland peace process. General de Chastelain’s award is considered to be a “British” one because his nomination was made by the British prime minister for work in the United Kingdom. Similarly, the appointment of Professor Anthony Pawson for his work on cell behaviour was made on the advice of the British government.
Criteria: Any citizen of the Commonwealth who has rendered conspicuous service of national importance. Like the Order of Merit, in the Canadian context it has been used to recognize outstanding service, which in other parts of the Commonwealth would usually be recognized through the bestowal of a knighthood.
Order of the Companions of Honour appointment warrant.
Insignia: A silver gilt oval badge 75 mm tall and 42 mm wide surmounted by a Tudor Crown or Royal Crown. The circumference of the badge is enamelled in blue and bears the motto IN ACTION FAITHFUL AND IN HONOUR CLEAR. At the centre of the insignia is a rectangular plaque containing an effigy of a knight on horseback under an oak tree. The reverse of the insignia carries the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown. It was not until 1988 that the crown on the insignia was changed to a St. Edward’s Crown, despite the fact that the Queen had requested the change in 1953.
Suspension: A small ring passes through a mounting loop, which is mounted on the reverse of the crown. Through this small teardrop-shaped ring passes a decorative loop, through which the ribbon passes.
Ribbon: Carmine in colour, with borders of gold thread, 40 mm in width.
Postnominals: CH.
Other: This insignia is not worn in miniature.
Insignia Manufacture: Insignia presented to Canadians were made by John Pinches and most recently by Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd.
Number of Canadian Appointments: 9
• General Harry