1979 New Year Honours

The New Year Honours 1979 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 1979 to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1979.^[1][2]

Names and titles of recipients are shown as they appeared in this honours list.

United Kingdom

Knight Bachelor

• Peter Coleman Boon, lately Chairman, Hoover Ltd. For services to Export.
• Lawrence Boyle, Chief Executive, Strathclyde Regional Council.
• John Keyworth Boynton, M.C., Chief Executive, Cheshire County Council.
• Derrick Holden-Brown, Vice Chairman, Allied Breweries Ltd.
• Eugene Cross, M.B.E., M.M. For public service in Wales.
• Alastair Robert Currie, Professor of Pathology, University of Edinburgh.
• Professor William Empson. For services to English Literature.
• Moses I. Finley, Professor of Ancient History, University of Cambridge.
• Isaac Hai Jacob, Q.C., Senior Master of the Supreme Court (Queen's Bench Division) and Queen's Remembrancer.
• Brian Smith Kellett, Chairman, Tube Investments Ltd.
• John Leonard King, Chairman, Babcock & Wilcox Ltd. For services to Export.
• Eric John Ewan Law, Judge of the Court of Appeal, Kenya.
• Alan Charles MacLaurin Mackerras, C.B.E., Conductor.
• Kenneth Mather, C.B.E., Professor of Genetics, University of Birmingham.
• Frederick William Page, C.B.E., Chairman and Chief Executive, Aircraft Group, British Aerospace.
• John Joseph Joffre Page, O.B.E., Chairman, National Ports Council.
• William Drummond Macdonald Paton, C.B.E., Professor of Pharmacology, University of Oxford.
• James Redmond, lately Director of Engineering, British Broadcasting Corporation.
• Bernard Francis William Scott, C.B.E., T.D., Chairman, Lucas Industries Ltd. For services to Export.
• Walter Stansfleld, C.B.E., M.C., Q.P.M., C.P.M., Chief Constable, Derbyshire Constabulary.
• John Nicholas Walton, T.D., Professor of Neurology and Dean of Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
• Professor John Crossley Wood, C.B.E., Chairman, Central Arbitration Committee.

State of Victoria

• The Honourable Mr Justice George Hermann Lush, of Canterbury. For distinguished service to the law.
• Mr Oscar Gwynne Meyer, O.B.E., E.D., of Toorak. For distinguished service to the State of Victoria.

State of Queensland

• The Honourable William Edward Knox, M.L.A., Deputy Premier and Treasurer.
• Robert Lyndley Sparkes, of Jandowae. For distinguished services to the State and to local government.

State of Western Australia

• Bruce MacKinlay, C.B.E., of Dalkeith. For services as President, Confederation of Western Australian Industry and also to the community.

Order of the Bath

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)

• General Sir Edwin Bramall, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., Colonel Commandant 3rd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, Colonel 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles).
• Sir Ian Powell Bancroft, K.C.B., Head of the Home Civil Service.

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)

• Vice Admiral Peter Egerton Capel Berger, M.V.O., D.S.C.
• Vice Admiral James Henry Fuller Eberle.
• Lieutenant General Robin Macdonald Carnegie, O.B.E., late The Queen's Own Hussars.
• Major General James Michael Gow, late Scots Guards, Colonel Commandant Intelligence Corps.
• Air Marshal Alan Cyril Davies, C.B., C.B.E., Royal Air Force.
• Acting Air Marshal Keith Alec Williamson, A.F.C., Royal Air Force.
• Frederick John Atkinson, C.B., Chief Economic Adviser, H.M. Treasury.
• John Wilfrid Bourne, C.B., Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, and Permanent Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Office.
• Thomas Chalmers Hetherington, C.B.E., T.D., Q.C., Director of Public Prosecutions.
• Major Sir James Rennie Maudslay, K.C.V.O., M.B.E., Keeper of the Privy Purse and Treasurer to The Queen.

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Military Division

• Rear Admiral Thomas Henry Bradbury.
• Rear Admiral John Roger Southey Gerard-Pearse.
• Rear Admiral Wilfred Jackson Graham.
• Rear Admiral Michael Laurence Stacey.
• Major General David Stanley Appleby, M.C., T.D., Army Legal Corps (Now Retired).
• Major General Peter Aldcroft Downward, D.S.O., D.F.C., Colonel The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
• Major General Arthur Michael Lancelot Hogge, late The Queen's Own Hussars.
• Major General Kenneth Saunders, O.B.E., late Royal Army Pay Corps.
• Major General Richard Brooking Trant, late Royal Regiment of Artillery.
• Air Vice-Marshal John Bagot Curtiss, Royal Air Force.
• Air Vice-Marshal Harry Gill, O.B.E., Royal Air Force.
• Air Vice-Marshal Peter Turner, Royal Air Force.
• Air Commodore Hubert Desmond Hall, C.B.E., A.F.C., A.D.C., Royal Air Force.

Civil Division

• Robert John Andrew, Deputy Secretary, Home Office.
• Allan Geoffrey Beard, Under Secretary, Department of Health and 'Social Security.
• Ronald Ernest Bearing, Deputy Secretary, Department of Industry.
• Herbert John Dunster, Deputy Secretary, Health and Safety Executive.
• Michael David Milroy Franklin, C.M.G., Deputy Secretary, Cabinet Office.
• Eric Frank Hedger, O.B.E., Under Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
• Martin Wyatt Holdgate, Director General of Research, Departments of the Environment and Transport.
• Samuel Frederick Radcliffe Martin, First Legislative Draftsman, Northern Ireland.
• John Angus Macbeth Mitchell, C.V.O., M.C., Secretary, Scottish Education Department.
• John Howard Nelson, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
• Antony Derek Maxwell Oulton, Deputy Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Office.
• Alexander Brown Paterson, Director, Veterinary Laboratories, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
• Denis Henry Payne, Principal Director, Ministry of Defence.
• Miss Lois Audrey Pittom, lately Under Secretary, Department of Employment.
• William Sinclair Ryrie, Deputy Secretary, H.M. Treasury.
• George Girdwood Stewart, M.C., T.D., Commissioner, Forestry Commission.
• John William Weston, Principal Assistant Solicitor, Board of Inland Revenue.
• Richard William Longworth Wilding, Deputy Secretary, Civil Service Department.
• Stanley David Wilks, Chief Executive, British Overseas Trade Board, Department of Trade.

Order of St Michael and St George

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)

• Sir David Scott, K.C.M.G., H.M. Ambassador, South Africa.

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

• Sir Sam Falle, K.C.V.O., C.M.G., D.S.C., British High Commissioner, Lagos.
• Stanley James Gunn Fingland, C.M.G., British High Commissioner, Nairobi.
• Arthur Temple Franks, C.M.G., Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Reginald Alfred Hibbert, C.M.G., Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Arthur John Wilton, C.M.G., M.C., H.M. Ambassador, Jedda.

State of Western Australia

• The Honourable Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, O.B.E., M.L.A., Premier of Western Australia.

Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

• Gordon Elliot Myers, Under Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
• Rupert George Raw, United Kingdom Director, European Investment Bank.
• Richard John William Rees, Head of Laboratory for Leprosy and Mycobacterial Research, National Institute for Medical Research.
• Ian James Shaw, O.B.E., Under Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
• Charles Leonard Booth, M.V.O., H.M. Ambassador, Rangoon.
• Sydney John Guy Cambridge, H.M. Ambassador, Kuwait.
• Alan Ewan Donald, H.M. Ambassador, Kinshasa.
• George Ferguson Finlayson, British Consul-General, Toronto.
• Bertram Anthony Flack, British Deputy High Commissioner, Ottawa.
• Brian Hutchinson, Government Communications Headquarters.
• Derek John Claremont Jones, Secretary for the Environment, Hong Kong.
• John William Denys Margetson, H.M. Ambassador, Hanoi.
• Peter James Scott Moon, British High Commissioner, Dar es Salaam.
• John Anthony Benedict Stewart, O.B.E., H.M. Ambassador, Vientiane.
• Andrew Christopher Stuart, C.P.M., lately Counsellor, H.M. Embassy, Jakarta.
• Reginald Robert Temple, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Reginald James Wallace, O.B.E., Governor, Gilbert Islands.
• Joe Booth Wright, lately H.M. Ambassador, Abidjan.

State of New South Wales

• Keith Ransome Gollan. For service to medicine and the community.

State of Queensland

• Leo John Williams, of Hamilton. For services to the community.

State of Western Australia

• Gordon Barratt Hill, of Claremont. For services to the profession of engineering.

Royal Victorian Order

Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

• The Right Honourable Simon, Earl of Dalhousie, K.T., G.B.E., M.C.

Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)

• Alfred Lapthorn Blake, C.V.O., M.C.
• The Reverend Canon James Seymour Denis Mansel, M.V.O.
• Sir Peter Malden Studd, G.B.E.

Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)

• Miss Margery Grace Blackie.
• Vice-Admiral Sir Ronald Vernon Brockman, K.C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E., C.B.E.
• William John Chalmers, C.B., C.B.E.
• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Colin Cole, M.V.O., T.D.
• Roger Ivan Mutimer, M.V.O.
• The Right Honourable James Wogan, Baron Remnant.
• Russell Dillon Wood, M.V.O., V.R.D.

Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)

• Miss Carol Elizabeth Barrington Haynes.
• Geoffrey Gowen Collins.
• Christopher Gordon Llewin Cory.
• Major Robert Anthony Gordon Courage, M.B.E., Grenadier Guards.
• Chief Superintendent Stanley Critchlow, Metropolitan Police.
• Lieutenant Commander Oswald Manuel Blaxland de Las Casas, O.B.E., Royal Navy (Retired).
• Martin Hynes.
• Surgeon Commander David Askey Lammiman, Royal Navy.
• Captain Michael Henry Tindal Mellish, O.B.E., E.R.D.
• Frank Ronald Mintram.
• Jane, Mrs Napier.
• Surgeon Lieutenant Commander (Temporary) Peter Huntly Robinson, Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Nigel Vinson.
• Commander Leslie Frederick John Walker, Q.P.M., Metropolitan Police.
• Peter Wilson.
• Keith Alexander Evans.
• Stella Elizabeth Lewis, Mrs Marks.
• Miss Edith Victoria Martin.
• Miss Laura Joan Maxey.
• Miss Claudia Ann Wyndham Payne.
• Leonard George Perkins.
• Alan Neale Stimson.
• William Worgan Taylor.

Royal Victorian Medal (Silver)

• Yeoman Bed Goer Charles Blackmore, Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
• Rose Mary, Mrs Crowe.
• James Forbes.
• Miss Mary Kenny.
• Harry Eric Pashley.
• Chief Petty Officer Steward John Stuart Rhodes.
• Ronald Charles Russell.
• William Eric Wickett.
• Chief Marine Engineering Mechanic James Taylor Wightman.

Order of the British Empire

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

• Elizabeth, Mrs Coker, Chairman, Executive Council, Association of County Councils. For public service.
• Miss Gracie Fields, C.B.E. (Mrs Alperovici), Entertainer.
• Naomi Christine, Mrs James. For services to sailing.

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

• Major General Roy Michael Frederick Redgrave, M.C., late The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues).
• Air Marshal Geoffrey Harold Ford, C.B., Royal Air Force.
• Robert Hill Kidd, C.B., Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service.
• Jack Cater, C.B.E., Chief Secretary, Hong Kong.

New Zealand

Knight Bachelor

• Joseph Holmes Miller OBE – of Wellington. For services to the Ross Dependency, conservation and surveying.
• Robertson Huntly Stewart CBE – of Christchurch. For services to manufacturing and community.

Order of the Bath

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Military Division

• Air Vice Marshal Cyril Laurence Siegert CBE MVO DFC AFC – Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

• Donald William Bain MBE – of Christchurch. For services to education.
• The Honourable John Raymond Mills – of Auckland. For services as a Crown Solicitor.
• The Most Reverend John Hubert Macey Rodgers SM – of Papatoetoe. For services as Roman Catholic Bishop in Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Order of the British Empire

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

Civil Division

• Mr Justice Gaven John Donne – Chief Justice of the High Court of the Cook Islands and Chief Justice of Niue.
• Hepi Hoani Te Heuheu – of Taumarunui. For services to the Māori people and community.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Civil Division

• James Luke Hazlett – of Winton. For public services.
• Ernest Mervyn Hall Kemp MBE – of Wellington. For services to local government.
• Sidney Lewis Moses – of Wellington. For services to commerce and the community.
• James McLaren Ritchie – of Dunedin. For services to business, educational, charitable and Anglican Church affairs.
• Peter Jensen Reid Skellerup. For services to the City of Christchurch.
• Laurence Houghton Stevens – of Auckland. For services to the textile industry.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Civil Division

• Hardy Seymour Benton – of Kaponga, Taranaki. For services to the dairy industry.
• Alan Francis Brieseman – of Mosgiel. For services to the National Band of New Zealand.
• Henry Harford Buswell – chief executive, Auckland Hospital Board.
• Thomas Searle Ellingham – of Havelock North. For services to the farming industry.
• John Norman Stuart Flett – of Auckland. For services to bowling.
• Peter Townshend Gifford – of Hastings. For services to Birthright and the community.
• Dr Thomas Edwin Hall – of Christchurch, lately medical superintendent, Sunnyside Hospital.
• Dr Paul Peter Heller – of Auckland. For services to air and space law.
• Dr Dennis Douglas McCarthy – of Auckland. For services to medicine and the community.
• James Henry McKenzie – of Hamilton. For services to opera and the community.
• Robert Alexander Milne – of Christchurch. For services to hockey.
• John Edward Rowles – of Honolulu, Hawaii. For services to entertainment and New Zealand interests in the USA.
• Archibald James Scott – of Christchurch. For services to the community.
• Leonard Alfred Sisam – of Whakatane. For services to farming, commerce and the community.
• Alan David Talbot – of South Canterbury. For services to local government.
• Sidney Ivan Wheatley – of Hamilton. For services to trade union and community affairs.
• William Sealy Wood – of Auckland. For services to medicine and the community.
• Graeme Augustine Dallow – Deputy Assistant Commissioner, New Zealand Police.

Military Division

• Commander Tom Alexander Riddell – Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Owen – Royal New Zealand Army Education Corps.
• Group Captain Bernard Joseph O'Connor AFC – Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Civil Division

• George Kent Armstrong DSO MC – of Queenstown. For services to the engineering profession.
• Eric Samuel Ayers JP – of Ashburton. For services to education.
• Russell William Bond – of Waikanae. For services to journalism and the arts.
• Cleland James Graham Brass JP – of Invercargill. For services to local body and community affairs.
• John Reginald Burford – of Palmerston North. For services to exporting.
• Miss Thelma Patricia Burton – of Lower Hutt. For services to nursing.
• Robert Tertius Douglas – of Wanganui, lately chief chemical inspector, Department of Health.
• James Geoffrey Furness MC – of Blenheim. For services to the community.
• Miss Gwladys Louise Gardner – of Auckland, lately headmistress, Auckland Girls' Grammar School.
• Sholto Hamilton Georgeson – of Christchurch. For services to aeronautics.
• Grahame Frederick Glaister – of Auckland. For services to exporting.
• Ritchie Donald Massed – of Raumati Beach. For services to quarrying.
• Harold Ashworth Holmes JP – of Rotorua. For services to the community.
• Harry Tilson Kershaw – of Martinborough. For services to local body and community affairs.
• Robert Hugh Wither Kirton – of Warkworth. For services to the dairy industry.
• John Harold Lucas – of Wellington. For services to scouting.
• James Edward Milner – of Christchurch. For services to paraplegics.
• Stanley Guy Russell JP – of Raglan. For services to the community.
• Maurice Barrington Smythe – of Waikanae. For services to racing.
• Lincoln Francis Warren – of Auckland. For services to rugby.
• Charles Edward Catlow Webb – of Levin. For services to the farming industry and the community.
• Max Phillip Whatman – of Christchurch. For services to journalism and the community.
• Mrs Elsie Hamer Wilkie – of Matamata. For services to bowling.
• Harold Robert Williams – of New Plymouth. For services to oil and gas exploration and development in New Zealand.

Military Division

• Warrant Officer Seaman Bertram Kairo McLean – Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Lieutenant Commander Albert Francis Prendergast – Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Major Andrew Anderson – Royal New Zealand Engineers.
• Temporary Major James Taia – Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Territorial Force).
• Warrant Officer Class 1 Lawrence Melville Taylor BEM – Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
• Warrant Officer Francis Derek Bailey – Royal New Zealand Air Force.
• Squadron Leader Henry Cecil Richardson – Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Queen's Service Order

Companion of the Queen's Service Order for Community Service (QSO)

• Mrs Joyce Doreen Flynn – of Wanganui.
• Eric Harold Grocott JP – of Long Bay, Coromandel.
• James Earl Hunt – of Palmerston North.
• Tumokai Katipa – of Ngaruawahia.
• Mrs Olive Margaret McLeod Manning – of Auckland.

Companion of the Queen's Service Order for Public Services (QSO)

• Neville Robert Ainsworth – of Wellington. General manager, State Insurance Office.
• John Mokonuiarangi Bennett – of Havelock North. Chairman, Māori Education Foundation.
• Edward George Buckton – of Lower Hutt, lately principal private secretary to the Prime Minister.
• Dr David Gordon Edgar – of Hamilton, lately director, Ruakura Animal Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Trevor Freeman Horne JP – of Nelson.
• Rex Thomas Morpeth JP – Mayor of Whakatane.
• Patrick George Sheehan JP – Mayor of Devonport.
• Joseph Leslie Terry JP – of Pahiatua.

Queen's Service Medal

Queen's Service Medal for Community Service (QSM)

• Thomas Willie Abbott JP – of Papatoetoe.
• Miss Margaret Brenda Dillon Bell – of Palmerston.
• The Reverend David Howard Vereker-Bindon (Brother David John SSF) – of Auckland.
• Mrs Joyce Winifred Brown – of Wellington.
• Mrs Stella Adelaide Brown – of Auckland.
• Sydney Charles Burton – of Auckland.
• Mrs Rachel Chisholm – of Blenheim.
• Maurice Walter "Morrie" Church – of Porirua East.
• Mrs Beatrice Mary Clifford – of Hamilton.
• Mrs Beatrice May Cousins – of Waitahuna.
• Mrs Mereana Kingi Davis – of Bay of Plenty.
• Louis Rodgers Fox – of Titahi Bay.
• Cecil Henry Hilton – of Rotorua.
• Clifford Holdsworth – of Christchurch.
• Miss Winifred Edith Georgina Knight – of Hawera.
• William Morland Limpus JP – of Auckland.
• Mrs Joan Anita Little – of Tokoroa.
• Mrs Maisie McNair – of Christchurch.
• Mrs Clarice Mary May – of Winton.
• Mrs Nancy Elizabeth Money – of Auckland.
• Mrs Marjory Catherine Ogg – of Wanganui.
• John Edward Ord – of Taumarunui.
• Mrs Florence Gertrude Roberts – of Christchurch.
• Mrs Rosa Olga Sansom – of Gore.
• Mrs Elizabeth Mary Wheeler Shaw – of Ashburton.
• Miss Ann Gladys Smith – of Dunedin.
• Mrs Jean Warren – of Christchurch.
• Mrs Evelyn Grace Williams JP – of Kaitaia.
• Mrs Margaret Mary Young – of Invercargill.

Queen's Service Medal for Public Services (QSM)

• Mrs Mary Armstrong – of Waimangaroa, postmistress, New Zealand Post Office.
• Herbert William Beasley – of Auckland.
• Miss Lettice Marion Corsbie – of Northland.
• Cecil Charles Day – of Wanganui.
• Ronald Daniel Eastwood – of Te Aroha.
• Mrs Phoebe Mildred Frost – of Wellington.
• Charles Anthony Gallagher – of South Canterbury.
• James Benjamin Graham JP – of Christchurch.
• Eric William King – of Nelson.
• Miss Lillia Mabel Langridge – of Ashburton.
• Leonard Joseph Lanigan JP – of Auckland.
• Allister Park McDonald – of Whakatane.
• John William McIntosh JP – of Waiheke Island.
• Mrs Sheilagh Rosalee Maxwell – of Gisborne.
• Miss Tui Alfreda Mayo – of Feilding.
• Mrs Kathleen Patricia Redmond – of Whangarei, chief nursing officer, Northland Hospital Board.
• Ole Ellegaard Sorenson – of Lower Hutt, lately assistant director (field operations), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Mrs Florence Alice Vincent JP – of Wellington.
• Fred John Williams – of Gisborne.
• Kira Williams JP – of Northland.
• Harold Alfred Lewis Wright – of Marton, lately head nurse, Maximum Security Unit, Lake Alice Hospital.
• Stewart Dudley Belcher – Senior Sergeant, New Zealand Police.
• Henry Charles Hollander – Constable, New Zealand Police.

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Military Division

• Chief Petty Officer Seaman Anthony David Long – Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Temporary Chief Petty Officer Seaman Eric Nicholson Vickers – Royal New Zealand Navy.
• Staff Sergeant William Joseph Donoghue – Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps.
• Temporary Sergeant Alan David Gundersen – Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
• Staff Sergeant Ronald Hughes – Royal New Zealand Engineers.
• Temporary Warrant Officer Class 2 Brian Leslie Tolson – Royal New Zealand Signals.
• Flight Sergeant William Keith Abbott – Royal New Zealand Air Force.
• Sergeant Raymond Durroch Allan – Royal New Zealand Air Force.
• Flight Sergeant Roger Langley – Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Air Force Cross (AFC)

• Squadron Leader Graeme James Wharton Goldsmith – Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM)

• William Clarkson – Fire Force Commander, New Zealand Fire Service.
• William John Harrison – Senior Station Officer, Invercargill Fire Brigade (Volunteer).
• Arthur William James Plummer – lately District Officer, Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade.
• Desmond Maurice Robertson – Chief Fire Officer, Waihi Volunteer Fire Brigade.
• Peter Kenneth Burton-Wood – Chief Fire Officer, Director of Fire Safety Division, National Headquarters, New Zealand Fire Service.

Queen's Police Medal (QPM)

• William Edward Hollinshead – Chief Superintendent, New Zealand Police.
• Robert Josiah Walton OBE ED – Commissioner of Police, New Zealand Police.

References