History
Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the OBE, is the fourth class of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, ranking above the Member and below the Commander. This is the civil division of the appointment, recognising distinguished service in civilian life, from the professions, the arts and sciences to industry, public service and the community. The Order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.
The Order was founded to fill the gaps in an honours system that had recognised mainly senior officers, civil servants, diplomats and those who served the royal family, and it was the first order open on equal terms to women and to people of every walk of life. A military division was created in 1918. In 1937 the insignia changed: the figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge gave way to the busts of King George V and Queen Mary, and the ribbon changed from purple to rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The badge is a cross patonce in silver-gilt for the Officer's class, larger than the Member's silver badge. The central medallion bears the crowned busts of King George V and Queen Mary within a crimson circlet inscribed FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE, the reverse carrying the royal cypher; before 1937 the medallion bore Britannia. The badge is worn by men on the left chest and by women from a bow on the left shoulder.
The ribbon
Rose-pink with pearl-grey edges.
The ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. Before 1937 it was purple. The civil division wears the ribbon without the central stripe that marks the military division.
Eligibility
The OBE is an appointment to the fourth class of the Order of the British Empire; this is the civil division.
- The civil division recognises distinguished service to the community and to civilian life, in the professions, the arts, industry and public service;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters OBE; the class does not carry the title Sir or Dame;
- The civil division's ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, without the central stripe of the military division. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. Appointments to an order of chivalry are worn before medals of the same era, in the order of precedence of the orders. As an Imperial honour the Order of the British Empire retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Frequently asked questions
What is an OBE?
Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the fourth class of the Order, ranking above the Member and below the Commander, for distinguished service.
What does the civil division recognise?
Distinguished service in civilian life: the professions, the arts and sciences, industry, public service and the community.
How is it told apart from the military division?
By the ribbon: the civil division has no central stripe, while the military division's rose-pink ribbon carries an additional pearl-grey stripe down the centre.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters OBE.
Does it make the holder a Sir or Dame?
No; only the two senior classes, Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander, carry that title.
What does the badge show?
A silver-gilt cross patonce with, since 1937, the busts of King George V and Queen Mary within the motto FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE.