1955 New Year Honours

The New Year Honours 1955 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. They were announced on 1 January 1955 to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1955.^[1][2]

United Kingdom

Barons

• Edgar Douglas Adrian, Esq., O.M., President of the Royal Society, President of the British Association, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.
• Sir William Fraser, C.B.E., Chairman, Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd.
• Sir Arnold Babb Gridley, K.B.E., M.P., Member of Parliament for Stockport, 1935–1950, and for Stockport South since 1950. Chairman, Conservative and Unionist Members' Committee, 1946–1951. For political and public services.

Privy Councillors

• Evelyn Nigel Chetwode Birch, Esq., O.B.E., M.P. (Minister of Works since October, 1954. Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Defence, 1952–1954 ; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Air, 1951–1952; Member of Parliament for Flintshire, 1945–1950, and for West Flint since 1950.

Knight Bachelor

• William Gordon Bennett, Esq., M.P., Member of Parliament for the Woodside Division of Glasgow since 1950. For political and public services.
• David Arnold Scott Cairns, Esq., Q.C., Chairman, Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission.
• Wilfrid Edward Le Gros Clark, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S., Dr. Lee's Professor of Anatomy, University of Oxford.
• William Robert Marshall Cockburn, Esq., Chief General Manager, The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China.
• Arthur Colegate, Esq., M.P., Member of Parliament for the Wrekin Division, 1941–1945, and for the Burton Division since 1950. For political and public services.
• Ivor Richard Cox, Esq., D.S.O. For services as Managing Director, Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company Ltd.
• William Charles Crocker, Esq., M.C., lately President of the Law Society.
• Leybourne Stanley Patrick Davidson, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P., Professor of Medicine, University of Edinburgh and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
• Colonel Charles Vernon Fitton, O.B.E., M.C. For political and public services in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
• Arthur Alexander Gemmell, Esq., M.C., T.D., M.D., F.R.C.S., President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
• George Frederick Hamer, Esq., C.B.E. For public services in Wales. Lord Lieutenant of Montgomeryshire.
• Basil Lucas Quixano Henriques, Esq., C.B.E., J.P. For services to youth welfare.
• Alderman Archer Hoare, C.B.E., For political and public services in Middlesex.
• Oscar Rudolf Hobson, Esq. For services to journalism. City Editor of the News Chronicle.
• Ian Macdonald Horobin, Esq., M.P., Member of Parliament for Central Southwark, 1931–1935, and for Oldham East since 1951. For political and public services.
• Alderman Harold Walter Seymour Howard, Lord Mayor of London.
• Ronald Martin Howe, Esq., C.V.O., M.C., Deputy Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Force.
• Colonel Francis James Gidlow Jackson, M.C., T.D. For political and public services in Manchester and Cheshire.
• Norris Vaughan Kenyon, Esq., J.P. For political and public services in Paddington.
• Charles Stuart McFarlane, Esq., O.B.E. For political services in Scotland.
• Robert Reynolds Macintosh, Esq., F.R.C.S., Nuffield Professor of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford.
• Robert Alexander Maclean, Esq. For services to industry in Scotland.
• John Mann, Esq., C.B.E., J.P., D.L., Convenor, Lanarkshire County Council.
• Brigadier Frank Medlicott, C.B.E., M.P., Member of Parliament for East Norfolk, 1939–1950, and for Central Norfolk since 1950. For political and public services.
• Philip Eric Millbourn, Esq., C.M.G., Honorary Adviser on Shipping in Port to the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.
• Keith Anderson Hope Murray, Esq., Chairman, University Grants Committee.
• John Ernest Neale, Esq., Aster Professor of English History, University of London.
• Wilfred John Neden, Esq., C.B., C.B.E., Chief Industrial Commissioner, Ministry of Labour and National Service.
• Arthur Cyril Richmond, Esq., C.B.E.,. Chairman of the Land Settlement Association and of the Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives in Great Britain and Ireland
• Alfred Roberts, Esq., C.B.E., J.P., General Secretary, National Association of Card, Blowing and Ringroom Operatives.
• Sydney Gordon Russell, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., Designer and Artist.
• Robert Donald Scott, Esq., M.P., Member of Parliament for the Wansbeck Division, 1940–1945, and for Penrith and the Border since 1950. Joint Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, May–July, 1945. For political and public services.
• Leonard Sinclair, Esq., Chairman and Managing Director, Esso Petroleum Company, Ltd.
• Rear-Admiral Matthew Sausse Slattery, C.B., (Retired), Chairman and Managing Director, Short Brothers and Harland, Ltd., Belfast.
• Henry Spurrier, Esq., Managing Director, Leyland Motors, Ltd.
• Oliver Graham Sutton, Esq., C.B.E., Director of the Meteorological Office, Air Ministry.
• Walter Wharton Tong, Esq. For political and public services in Bolton.
• Colonel George Albert Wade, M.C., J.P. For political and public services in Staffordshire.
• Robert Bernard Waterer, Esq., C.B., Solicitor to the Board of Inland Revenue.
• Thomas Adam Wedderspoon, Esq. For political and public services in Angus

• Edgar Layton Bean, Esq., C.M.G., Parliamentary Draftsman, State of South Australia.
• The Honourable Frank Tennyson Perry, M.B.E., a Member of the Legislative Council, State of South Australia. For public services.
• Thomas Sidney Chegwidden, Esq., C.B., C.V.O., Chairman of the Interim Public Service Commission, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. For public services.
• James Greig Shearer, Esq., Indian Civil Service (Retired), formerly a Puisne Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Patna.
• Nicholas Bayard Dell, Esq., C.B.E. For public services in Bermuda.
• Joseph Trounsell Gilbert, Esq., C.B.E, Q.C., Chief Justice, Bermuda.
• Eric Hallinan, Esq., Chief Justice, Cyprus.
• Eldred Frederick Hitchcock, Esq., C.B.E. For public services in Tanganyika.
• Kobina Arku Korsah, Esq., C.B.E., Puisne Judge, Gold Coast.
• Paul George Pavlides, Esq., C.B.E. For public services in Cyprus.

Order of the Bath

Knights Grand Cross (GCB)

• Sir John Primatt Redcliffe Maud, K.C.B., C.B.E., Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fuel and Power.

Knights Commander (KCB)

• Vice-Admiral Sir John Arthur Symons Eccles, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.B.E.
• Vice-Admiral Frank Trowbridge Mason, C.B.
• Lieutenant-General Sir Lashmer Gordon Whistler, K.B.E., CB., D.S.O. (13017), late Infantry (Colonel, The Royal Sussex Regiment).
• Major-General Sir Thomas John Willoughby Winterton, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.B.E. (5778), late Infantry.
• Air Marshal Sir Harry Broadhurst, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., Royal Air Force.
• Sir Herbert Brittain, K.B.E., C.B., Second Secretary, H.M. Treasury.
• Edward Abdy Fellowes, Esq., C.B., C.M.G., M.C., Clerk of the House of Commons.
• Lieutenant-Colonel the Right Honourable Sir Michael Edward Adeane, K.C.V.O., C.B., Private Secretary to The Queen. (additional member)

Order of St Michael and St George

Knight Grand Cross (GCMG)

• His Highness The Right Honourable Aga Sultan Sir Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O.
• The Honourable Sir Evelyn Baring, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Kenya.
• Sir Roger Mellor Makins, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Washington.

Knight Commander (KCMG)

The Honourable Geoffrey Cokayne Gibbs, C.M.G., Chairman of the Advisory Council, Export Credits Guarantee Department.

• Admiral Sir Martin Eric Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., D.L. (Retired), lately Vice-Chairman, Imperial War Graves Commission.
• The Right Honourable Sir Ronald Hibbert Cross, Bt., K.C.V.O., Governor of the State of Tasmania.
• Lieutenant-General Sir John Dudley Lavarack, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., Governor of the State of Queensland.
• The Honourable Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, C.M.G., Chief Justice of Southern Rhodesia; and Acting Governor of the Colony on several occasions.
• Edward Betham Beetham, Esq., C.M.G., C.V.O., O.B.E., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Windward Islands.
• The Right Honourable Thomas Daniel, Earl of Ranfurly, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Bahamas.
• Patrick Muir Renison, Esq., C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, British Honduras.
• Sir Bryan Evers Sharwood-Smith, K.B.E., C.M.G., E.D., Governor, Northern Region, Nigeria.
• The Honourable Robert Maurice Alers Hankey, C.M.G., Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Stockholm.
• Geoffrey Wedgwood Harrison, Esq., C.M.G., An Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign Office.
• Reginald Keith Jopson, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E., Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Bogota.
• Charles Norman Stirling, Esq., C.M.G., Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (designate) in Lisbon.

Royal Victorian Order

Knights Commanders (KCVO)

• The Right Reverend Eric Knightly Chetwode Hamilton.
• Sir Gerald Festus Kelly.

Commanders (CVO)

• Captain James Stephen Dalglish, Royal Navy.
• Albert Norman Harrison, Esq., O.B.E.
• Joseph Graeme Humble, Esq., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
• Captain Arthur Cecil Jocelyn.
• Alan McLeod, Esq., F.D.S., R.C.S,
• Kenneth Roy Eldin Taylor, Esq.

Companions of Honour

• Captain The Right Honourable Harry Frederick Comfort Crookshank, M.P., Lord Privy Seal since 1952 and Leader of the House of Commons since 1951. Minister of Health, 1951–1952; Postmaster-General, 1943–1945; Financial Secretary to the Treasury, 1939–1943. Member of Parliament for Gainsborough since 1924.
• The Reverend Hugh Martin. For services to the National Free Church Federal Council and to the British Council of Churches.

New Zealand

Knight Bachelor

• The Honourable George Panton Finlay – Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

• Leslie Knox Munro – Her Majesty's New Zealand Ambassador to the United States of America

Order of the British Empire

Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

Civil Division

• Major-General William Henry Cunningham CBE DSO VD – Crown Prosecutor in Wellington. For services to law.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Civil Division

• Ernest Hedley Roy Green – Chief Engineer, Post and Telegraph Department
• Robert Alexander Crookston Laidlaw MBE – of Auckland. For social welfare and philanthropic services.
• Stanley Logan Paterson – Senior Stipendiary Magistrate

Military Division

• Captain Frank Edward Taylor DSC VRD – Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Civil Division

• William David Campbell – of Timaru. For services to law, education and journalism.
• Mason Te Rama Apakura Durie – leading Chief of the Rangitāne Tribe. For services to the Māori people.
• Frank William Gilligan – Headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School. For services to education.
• Charles Kirkpatrick Grierson – President of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors
• Miss Marie Emerentia Little – Matron of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, Christchurch
• John Murray JP – of Wellington. For patriotic and social welfare services, particularly in connection with the Disabled Servicemen's Rehabilitation League.
• George John Park – of Auckland. For services to education, and in connection with the work of the Crippled Children's Society.
• Arthur Gentry Pitts LRCP FRCS – a medical practitioner at Waimate. For services to the community.
• Henry Charles Withell – of Ashburton. For services to local government.

Military Division

• Acting Commander John David Keay VRD – Royal New Zealand Navy
• Lieutenant-Colonel William Denzil Philp DSO ED – Royal New Zealand Artillery, Territorial Force
• Squadron Leader Cecil David Melville Kingsford – Royal New Zealand Air Force

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Civil Division

• Mrs Susan Amy Barnicoat – of Wellington. For services to the community, especially in connection with women's organisations.
• John Bruorton – of Christchurch. For social welfare services.
• Mrs Jenny Henderson Campbell – of Auckland. For social welfare services.
• Avalin Sutherland Carran JP – Commissioner of the Warkworth Town Board. For services to the community.
• John Ira Fraser. For services to local government in the Maniototo County.
• Sidney George – of Auckland. For services to the Boys' Brigade.
• Robert (Bob) Davies Gerrard – of Willenhall. For services to the community, in particular for his work as General secretary of the National Union of Lock and Metal Workers, as a County Magistrate, a County Councillor and for his work on the creation of Willenhall Comprehensive School.
• Albert Percy Greenfield JP – of Dunedin. For social welfare services.
• Edgar Harding – of Woodville. For services to the community, especially in connection with local government and the dairy industry.
• James David Howitt – chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Boys' Institute
• Frederick Hainsworth Hudson JP – of Levin. For services to local government.
• Mrs Maud Marian Kelly – of Nelson. For social welfare services.
• Thomas Daniel Lennie – of Christchurch. For services to horticulture.
• Mrs Ema Te Toroa Tangiariki Otene. For services to the Māori people in Hawke's Bay, especially in the field of women's welfare.
• Arthur Henry Sivewright – chairman of the Hawke's Bay Education Board
• Henry Joseph Stace. For services to local government and to agriculture in Marlborough.
• William Stapleton – curator of the botanical gardens in Invercargill. For services to horticulture.
• Henry Sweney JP – of Christchurch. For social welfare services.
• Mrs Mabel Sinclair Walden – of Riverton. For social welfare services.
• Mrs Constance Lilian Weston. For services to the community in New Plymouth.
• Ernest Summers Wilson – of Dunedin. For services to the community in connection with charitable and patriotic organisations.

Military Division

• Lieutenant Arthur Beevor Wilkinson – Royal New Zealand Navy
• The Reverend Francis John Green – Chaplain (Third Class), Royal New Zealand Chaplains Department
• Major Leslie Rexnold Musgrave – New Zealand Regiment
• Captain (temporary) Hugh Bannatyne Fraser-Tytler – Royal New Zealand Infantry, Territorial Force
• Warrant Officer Class I (temporary) Carl Alexander Walter – Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Flight Lieutenant Noel Alexander Spring-Rice – Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Warrant Officer Leslie William Thompson – Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Warrant Officer Clifford Huia Perrett – Royal New Zealand Air Force

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division

• Petty Officer Edward Maurice Hancock – Royal New Zealand Navy
• Chief Engine Room Artificer James Nathan Rothwell – Royal New Zealand Navy
• Chief Petty Officer Mervyn Leslie St Clare – Royal New Zealand Navy
• Chief Petty Officer Claude Wilfred Mason-Riseborough – Royal New Zealand Navy
• Staff-Sergeant Joseph Matthew Lowe – Royal New Zealand Signals. Territorial Force.
• Flight Sergeant James Hugh Watts – Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Flight Sergeant William Harrison Staniland – Royal New Zealand Air Force

Air Force Cross (AFC)

• Flight Lieutenant Raymond Arthur Mackinder – Royal New Zealand Air Force

Air Force Medal (AFM)

• Sergeant Ivan Noel Moran – Royal New Zealand Air Force

References