Order of St Michael and St George

This Order was instituted on 27th April 1818 by the Prince Regent (later George IV), and it was intended to commemorate the placing of the Ionian Islands under British protection; originally it was intended for distinguished citizens of the islands, and also of Malta. At first, the Order was conferred upon those holding high position and commands in the Mediterranean; the islands there, acquired as a result of the Napoleonic Wars, were at that time very strategically placed and thus of importance to Britain.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, due to the expansion of the British Empire, the Order was then extended to those who had given distinguished service in the Dominions and Colonies, as well as foreign affairs generally. Today, the Order is awarded to men and women who have held, or will hold, high office, or who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country. It can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The Order consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master (currently The Duke of Kent), and includes three classes: 125 Knights and Dames Grand Cross (GCMG), 375 Knights and Dames Commander (KCMG and DCMG), and 1750 Companions (CMG). Members of the Royal Family may be appointed as Extra Knights and Dames Grand Cross. Foreigners can be appointed as honorary members.

The Order's motto is Auspicium melioris aevi ('Token of a better age'). The banners of arms of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross are hung in the Chapel of the Order, which is in St Paul's Cathedral. Unique to this Order is the arrangement under which the enamelled metal plates of the complete armorial achievement of all three classes are placed in the seats of the Chapel.

The Star and Badge of the Order feature the cross of St George, the Order's motto, and a representation of the archangel St Michael holding in his right hand a flaming sword and trampling upon Satan. The collar of the Order is composed alternately of the lions of England royally crowned and of white enamelled Maltese crosses, and of the cyphers SM (St Michael) and SG (St George); the centre of the collar consists of two winged lions each holding a book and seven arrows, surmounted by an imperial crown. The composition of the collar is therefore a reminder of the origins of the Order.

CMG Order

Badge of gold, in the centre a raised figure of St Michael subduing Satan, in white, pink, blue and green enamel, encircled by the motto AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI in gold on blue enamel. Set on a white enamel seven-armed cross with fourteen points edged in gold. The badge is surmounted by a chased gold royal crown. The Reverse features a raised figure of St George and the dragon in white, red, blue and green enamel. The badge is hallmarked on the suspension loop London 1823, and probably belonged to William IV.

Worcestershire Officers who were awarded the CMG (Companions of this order)

The rank show in the table below is that which was held at the time the Order was awarded.

Boer War

Surname

Forenames/s

Rank

Gazette (date)

Bennett

Charles Hugh

Captain

19/04/1901

Green

Arthur Dowson

Captain

19/04/1901

 

First World War

Surname

Forenames/s

Rank

Gazette (date)

Bartholomew

Hugh John

Lieut.-Colonel

01/01/1918

Bilton

Lionel Leonard

Lieut.-Colonel

01/01/1918

Cayley

Douglas Edward

Colonel

15/10/1915

Clarke, Sir

Edward Henry St. Lawrence, Bart.

Lieut.-Colonel

03/06/1919

Dugan

Winston Joseph

Brevet Lieut.-Colonel

07/01/1918

Farmar

George Jasper

Colonel

18/02/1915

Gogarty

Henry Edward

Lieut.-Colonel

01/01/1918

Grogan

George William St. George

Lieut.-Colonel

01/01/1916

Harman

Alexander Ramsey

Lieut.-Colonel

03/06/1918

Rainey-Robinson, C.B.

Robert Maximilian

Colonel

01/01/1917

Rose

Richard Aubrey de Burgh

Brevet Lieut.-Colonel

01/01/1919

Stuart

Burleigh Francis Brownlow

Lieut.-Colonel

03/06/1919

Thomas

Edward Algernon D'Arcy

Colonel

23/11/1916

Umfreville

Ralph Brunton

Lieut.-Colonel

03/06/1916

Walsh

Mainwaring Ravell

Lieut.-Colonel

12/12/1919


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