Australian Knights and Dames

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Notables Australia

Contents 1 Pre-amble 2 The Orders of Chivalry 2.1 Order of the Garter (KG / LG) 2.2 Order of the Thistle (KT/LT) 2.3 Order of St Patrick (KP) 2.4 Order of the Bath (GCB & KCB) 2.5 Order of Australia (AK/AD) 2.6 Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG & KCMG) 2.7 Order of the Star of India (GCSI & KCSI) 2.8 Royal Victorian Order (GCVO & KCVO) 2.9 Order of the British Empire (GBE & KBE/DBE) 3 Other Orders including knighthoods or the equivalent 3.1 Order of Merit (OM) 3.2 Knights Bachelor 3.3 Order of Saint John (GCStJ, KStJ/DStJ) 3.4 Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) 4 List of Australian Knights and Dames 4.1 A - B 4.2 C 4.3 D - G 4.4 H - L 4.5 Mc - N 4.6 O - S 4.7 T - Z 5 The Ranks of the Peerage 5.1 Duke / Duchess 5.2 Marquess / Marchioness 5.3 Earl / Countess 5.4 Viscount / Viscountess 5.5 Baron / Baroness (in Scotland, known as Lord / Lady of Parliament) 5.6 Baronet / Baronetess 6 Australian Peers of the Realm 6.1 Duke 6.2 Marquess 6.3 Earl 6.4 Viscount 6.5 Baron / Baroness 6.6 Baronet / Baronetess 7 Sources 8 See also

Pre-amble

A Knight or Dame is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a monarch or political leader for service to the monarch or country, and may be so created in one of several Orders of Chivalry.

Some 800 Australians have received knighthoods under the Order of Australia and Imperial Orders of Chivalry such as The Garter, Thistle, Bath, St Michael & St George, Royal Victorian, and British Empire; as well as Knights Bachelor, which is created outside of any Order of Chivalry, Order of St John, Order of Merit and Companions of Honour (CH), in the latter two of which Members are awarded the right to use the post-nominal letters OM or CH and wear the respective badge of the Order.

Peers of the Realm have been associated with Australia since early in its history as a British settlement. Many peers served as governors of the Australian colonies (states following Federation), and in the days when the practice of appointing British governors-general was current, the great majority were peers. Whilst Baronets are entitled to use the pre-nominal Sir, they are not Knights per se.

For the purposes of this Free Space Page, Australian knights and dames are those people whose primary domicile was in the Australian colonies (26th January 1788 – 31st December 1900 or in Australia (1st January 1901 – onward). As those who migrated to Australia and made their notability (and thus knighthood) here are included in the following charts, those who were born here but spent their lives elsewhere, primarily the United Kingdom, are not. As is to be appreciated the bulk of recipients have been born in Australia, followed by those who made Australia home from England (78), Scotland (24), Ireland (15), New Zealand (9) and Wales (3). However, the origin of Australia's knights and dames is diverse with others heralding from Austria (2), Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Gibraltar, Germany (2), Greece, India (2), Italy, Philippines, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland and United States of America.

As of May 2023 there are 25 living Australian Knights and Dames. They are shown in Bold in the charts below.

The Orders of Chivalry

in order of precedence ...

Order of the Garter (KG / LG)

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by King Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. The Order of the Garter is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England's patron saint. Appointments are at the sovereign's sole discretion and are usually in recognition of a national contribution, for public service, or for personal service to the sovereign. Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. St George's Chapel in Windsor is the mother church of the Order of the Garter and the location of special services in relation to the Order. Knights and Lady Companions of the Order rank third in the Australian order of precedence.

Three Australians, all former Governors General of Australia, have been conferred Knights of the Order of the Garter: Sir Richard Casey, Baron Casey of Berwick (1969), Sir Paul Hasluck (1979) and Sir Ninian Stephen (1994).

Order of the Thistle (KT/LT)

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order. The Order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen Knights and Ladies. The Sovereign alone grants membership of the Order. Knights and Ladies of the Order rank fourth on the Australian order of precedence. When James VII created the modern Order in 1687, he directed that the Abbey Church at the Palace of Holyroodhouse be converted to a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. James VII, however, was deposed by 1688; the Chapel, meanwhile, had been destroyed during riots. The Order did not then have a Chapel until 1911, when one was added onto St Giles High Kirk in Edinburgh. Each year, the Sovereign resides at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for a week in June or July; during the visit, a service for the Order is held.

One Australian, Sir Robert Menzies, Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, has been conferred Knight of the Order of the Thistle. No doubt, he received this honour over the Order of the Garter due to his Scottish heritage.

Order of St Patrick (KP)

The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick is a dormant British order of chivalry associated with Ireland. The Order was created in 1783 by King George III at the request of the then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The regular creation of knights of the Order lasted until 1922, when most of Ireland gained independence as the Irish Free State, a dominion within what was then known as the British Commonwealth of Nations. While the Order technically still exists, no knight of St Patrick has been created since 1936. The Chapel of the Order was originally in St Patrick's Cathedral in central Dublin.

No Australian has been conferred a knighthood within the order.

Order of the Bath (GCB & KCB)

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I on 18th May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, of which bathing (as a symbol of purification) was an element. The Order consists of the Sovereign, the Great Master (currently vacant) and three classes of members: Knights Grand Cross (GCB) or Dames Grand Cross (GCB), Knights Commander (KCB) or Dames Commander (DCB), and Companions (CB). Recipients of the Order are usually senior military officers or senior civil servants.

Five Australians have been conferred Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, with nineteen honoured as Knights (two were upgraded to Knights Grand Cross). Sir William Hezeltine GCB GCVO is still living.

Order of Australia (AK/AD)

The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14th February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Government. Before the establishment of the order, Australian citizens received British honours. Appointments are made by the governor-general on behalf of the Monarch of Australia, based on recommendations made by the Council of the Order of Australia. The Monarch of Australia is sovereign head of the order, while the Governor-General of Australia is the principal companion/dame/knight (as relevant at the time) and chancellor of the order. Knights (AK) and Dames (AD) of the Order were conferred from 1976 to 1983 and from 2014 ^[1] to 2015 ^[2] for 'extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large'. Knighthoods are not currently bestowed.

In addition, both HM King Charles III and his father, HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, were bestowed knighthoods in 1981 and 2015 respectively; although not being Australian citizens, but due to their close affiliation with the nation. Then Prince Charles, ceased to be an AK when he succeeded his mother as the Australian Monarch in September 2022. Seventeen Australians have been conferred Knights or Dames of the Order; four as Dames and thirteen as Knights. Four are living: Dame Marie Bashir AD, Dame Quentin Bryce AD, General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC and Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK.

Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG & KCMG)

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III. The Order of St Michael and St George was originally awarded to those holding commands or high position in the Mediterranean territories acquired in the Napoleonic Wars. It is at present awarded to men and women who hold high office or who render extraordinary or important non-military service to the United Kingdom in a foreign country, and can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

192 Australians have received knighthoods under the Order; 34 as Knights Grand Cross (fourteen of whom were upgraded from KCMG). As of 2023 Sir Lynton Crosby is the only living Australian recipient of the KCMG.

Order of the Star of India (GCSI & KCSI)

The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. Two classes of knighthood existed in the Order: Knght Grand Commander and Knight Commander. No appointments have been made since the 1948 New Year Honours, shortly after the Partition of India in 1947.

With the death in 2009 of the last surviving knight, the order became dormant.

No Australians were conferred with knighthoods under the Order.

Royal Victorian Order (GCVO & KCVO)

The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, or New Zealand monarch, members of the monarch's family, or to any viceroy or senior representative of the monarch. The present monarch, King Charles III, is the sovereign of the order. The order's chapel is the Savoy Chapel in London.

Thirty-four Australians have received knighthoods under the Order; six as Knights Grand Cross, one of whom was upgraded from KCVO, and 28 others as Knights Commander. Sir William Hezeltine GCB GCVO is still living.

Order of the British Empire (GBE & KBE/DBE)

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4th June 1917 by King George V. Recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, the self-governing Dominions of the Empire (later Commonwealth) and the Viceroy of India. Most Commonwealth countries ceased recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire when they created their own honours.

316 Australian men and women have received knighthoods under the Order; ten of whom (five men and five women) were made Knights Grand Cross and Dames Grand Cross of the Order. Living, as of 2024, are General Sir Philip Bennett KBE DSO, Justice Sir Daryl Dawson KBE, Justice Sir William Deane KBE, Sir Trevor Garland KBE, Sir Guy Green KBE, Justice Sir Anthony Mason KBE and Sir Donald Trescowthick KBE.

Other Orders including knighthoods or the equivalent

Order of Merit (OM)

The Order of Merit recognises distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture in the Commonwealth realms. Established in 1902 by Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign. All citizens of the Commonwealth realms are eligible for appointment to the Order of Merit. There may be, however, only 24 living individuals in the order at any given time, not including honorary appointees, and new Members are personally selected by the reigning monarch of the realms, currently Charles III; the order has thus been described as "quite possibly, the most prestigious honour one can receive on planet Earth." All Members are awarded the right to use the post-nominal letters OM and wear the badge of the order. In Australia, the Order ranks third in precedence, preceded by the Order of the Thistle and succeeded by the Order of Australia.

Australians, John Howard OM AC and Dame Joan 'La Stupenda' Sutherland OM AC DBE are the only Australians to have been awarded the Order of Merit.

Knights Bachelor

The title of Knight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised orders of chivalry; it is a part of the British honours system. Knights Bachelor are the most ancient of British knight (the rank existed during the 13th-century reign of King Henry III), however, rank immediately below knights of chivalric orders. A man who is knighted is formally addressed as 'Sir' and his wife as 'Lady', however, post-nominal letters are not associated with the honour. Women are not conferred Knight Bachelors, instead, they are appointed to the next higher Dames of the Order of the British Empire. Knight Bachelor is usually conferred for public service.

322 Australian men have been conferred Knights Bachelor. Living Australian Knights Bachelor are Roderick Carnegie, Professor Doctor Christopher Clark, Roderick Eddington, Professor Marc Feldmann, James Hardy, Leo Hielscher, Michael Hintze (Baron Hintze), William Kearney, Frank Lowy, Graham McCamley, Jonathan Mills, Frank Moore, Eric Neal, Gustav Nossal, Pascal Soriot and Guy Weston.

Order of Saint John (GCStJ, KStJ/DStJ)

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem is a British royal order of chivalry constituted in 1888 by royal charter from Queen Victoria. The order traces its origins back to the Knights Hospitaller in the Middle Ages, which was later known as the Order of Malta. The order is found throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, the Republic of Ireland, and the United States of America, with the worldwide mission being 'to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people anywhere in the world'. Knighthoods are conferred as Knights of Grace or Knights of Justice. Post-nominal letters of the Order are not used outside the organisation itself, and a Knight and Dame may not use the prefix Sir or Dame. The Order of St John ranks 31st on the Australian order of precedence.

Sir Eric Neal (he is also a Knight Bachelor) appears to be the last living Australian KStJ.

Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

The Order of the Companions of Honour is an order of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded on 4th June 1917 by King George V as a reward for outstanding achievements; the same date as the Order of the British Empire. The order was originally intended to be conferred upon a limited number of persons for whom this special distinction seemed to be the most appropriate form of recognition, constituting an honour dissociated from either the acceptance of title or the classification of merit. It is now described as being 'awarded for having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time'. While membership of the Order confers no title or precedence, those inducted into the Order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH.

There have been twelve Australian Companions of Honour: Stanley Bruce (1927), Joseph Lyons (1936), William 'Billy' Hughes (1941), Sir Richard 'Dick' Casey, Baron Casey of Berwick (1944), Dame Patty Menzies (1951) and Sir Robert 'Bob' Menzies (1951), Lawrence Bragg MC (1967), Harold Holt (1967), Sir John 'Jack' McEwan (1969), Sir John Gorton (1971), Malcolm Fraser (1977) and the last Australian member, Doug Anthony (1981), who died on 20th December 2020.