1915–1919 New Year Honours |
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The 1917 New Year Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were published in several editions of The London Gazette in January and February.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
The 1 January list contained only military honours earned during the ongoing war, particularly for the Battle of the Somme, while political honours were delayed.[10] The announcement was celebrated by The Times in its New Year's Day reporting:
"It is a welcome change to publish a list of New Year's Honours which have been earned altogether in the honourable service of the State. What are sometimes called 'political honours' – the results too often of personal and party manoeuvres – seem indescribably repellent in these days of national strain. We cannot, unfortunately, congratulate ourselves that their omission to-day is anything more than a postponement; but for the moment at all events we have a list confined entirely to sailors and soldiers and to civilians whose claim to distinction rests wholly on public service. We rejoice especially in the well-timed promptness with which the official report of the greatest battle in English history is followed by a large recognition of the men responsible for its success."[1]
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and arranged by honour, with classes (Knight, Knight Grand Cross, etc.) and then divisions (Military, Civil, etc.) as appropriate.