What Is 1917 King's Birthday Honours

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1917 King's Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. Announced on 4 June 1917, they recognized military and civilian service during World War I.

Key Facts

The 1917 King's Birthday Honours were announced on 4 June 1917.
King George V conferred honours to recognize contributions during World War I.
Over 1,500 individuals were recognized across military and civilian sectors.
The list included knighthoods, appointments to the Order of the British Empire, and military decorations.
The Order of the British Empire was established in June 1917, first used in these honours.

Overview

The 1917 King's Birthday Honours marked a pivotal moment in British imperial recognition, occurring during the height of World War I. Issued on 4 June 1917, these honours reflected the urgent need to acknowledge both military bravery and civilian contributions to the war effort.

Under the reign of King George V, the honours list emphasized national unity and morale. The introduction of the Order of the British Empire during this year significantly expanded the scope of recognition, allowing for broader inclusion of non-combatant roles.

Announcement Date: The honours were officially published on 4 June 1917, aligning with the official birthday of King George V, a traditional date for such appointments.
Scope of Recognition: Over 1,500 individuals were honoured, including military officers, nurses, civil servants, and industrialists supporting the war.
Historic Innovation: This was the first year the Order of the British Empire was awarded, created to recognize contributions not covered by existing orders.
Military Emphasis: A significant portion of honours went to soldiers and officers for gallantry on the Western Front and leadership in major battles like the Battle of Arras.
Civilian Inclusion: Women received unprecedented recognition, especially in nursing and munitions work, reflecting changing societal roles during wartime.

How It Works

The King's Birthday Honours were formal appointments made by the monarch on ministerial advice, recognizing exceptional service across the British Empire. Each honour corresponded to a specific order or medal with defined criteria and ranks.

Term: The Order of the Garter is the highest British chivalric order, limited to 24 living members. Appointment is a rare, lifelong honour typically reserved for royalty and senior statesmen.
Term: The Order of the Bath primarily honours senior military officers and civil servants. In 1917, it was awarded for strategic leadership in World War I operations.
Term: The Order of St Michael and St George recognizes diplomatic and foreign service. Several ambassadors and colonial administrators received it in 1917.
Term: The Order of the British Empire was established on 4 June 1917 with five ranks, including MBE and OBE, to honour wartime service across all classes.
Term:Military Cross (MC) was awarded to officers for gallantry under fire, with over 200 granted in the 1917 list for actions in France and Belgium.
Term:Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) recognized enlisted soldiers for bravery; in 1917, it was awarded to 148 non-commissioned personnel for frontline courage.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1917 honours reflected a shift in recognition practices compared to earlier years, particularly due to the war and the creation of a new order.

Honour	1917 Recipients	Purpose	Notable Change in 1917
Order of the British Empire	Over 2,000 (first year)	Recognize civilian and military war service	First ever awarded; created specifically for WWI contributions
Victoria Cross	12	Highest award for gallantry in combat	All recipients were for actions on the Western Front
Military Cross	217	Officer gallantry	Increased from 1916 due to intensified combat
Distinguished Conduct Medal	148	Enlisted soldier bravery	Expanded recognition of non-officers
Dame Grand Cross	1	Female equivalent of knighthood	First woman appointed to the Order of the British Empire

This table illustrates how the 1917 honours expanded access to recognition. The creation of the Order of the British Empire allowed thousands of ordinary citizens to be honoured, a significant departure from the elite-focused honours of previous decades. The war necessitated broader acknowledgment of service, reshaping the honours system permanently.

Why It Matters

The 1917 King's Birthday Honours had lasting implications for British society and the structure of national recognition. By institutionalizing appreciation for non-combat roles, the honours helped redefine patriotism and service.

The introduction of the Order of the British Empire democratized honours, allowing factory workers and nurses to receive national recognition.
Over 300 women were honoured in 1917, marking a turning point in gender inclusion within the British honours system.
Military units on the Western Front saw boosted morale due to public acknowledgment of their sacrifices.
The honours list served as propaganda, reinforcing public support for the war effort through stories of heroism.
Civilian contributions in munitions, nursing, and logistics were formally validated, elevating their social status.
The 1917 reforms laid the foundation for the modern honours system, still in use today with over 2,000 annual appointments.

The legacy of the 1917 King's Birthday Honours endures in the continued use of the Order of the British Empire and the broader cultural understanding of national service. It marked a shift from aristocratic exclusivity to inclusive recognition, reflecting the total war nature of World War I.