The 1919 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. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published in The London Gazette from 3 June to 12 August. The vast majority of the awards were related to the recently ended War, and were divided by military campaigns. A supplementary list of honours, retroactive to the King's birthday, was released in December 1919.
The massive list contained nearly 10,000 names, more than half of which were appointments to the Order of the British Empire. "The lists of awards to the Army are so long that only a part of the first section can be published to-day," reported The Times on 3 June. "This section fills 131 pages of the London Gazette." Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty and Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig were both appointed to the Order of Merit. As The Times noted, "The successful leadership of the victorious British Forces by land and sea is happily recognized by the award of the Order of Merit — which is limited in numbers to 24 — to Sir David Beatty and Sir Douglas Haig."
The new peers and baronets were not announced until August.
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and arranged by honour, with classes (Knight, Knight Grand Cross, etc.) and then divisions (Military, Civil, etc.) as appropriate.
United Kingdom and British Empire
Earl
Sir Edward Cecil Guinness, Viscount Iveagh Chancellor of the University of Dublin, 1908.
Baron
Sir Edward Richard Russell Member of Parliament for Bridgeton Division of Glasgow, 1885–87; First Chairman of Liverpool Reform Club; Editor of the Liverpool Daily Post since 1869. For public services during a long career. By the name, style and title of Baron Russell of Liverpool, of Liverpool in the County Palatine of Lancaster. Col. William Hall Walker Member of Parliament for Widnes Division of Lancashire since 1900. Donor of a magnificent gift of Racehorses to the nation in 1916 in order to start a National Stud. For public and parliamentary Services. By the name, style, and title of Baron Wavertree of Delamere in the County of Chester.
Baronetcies
Col. Harry Gilbert Barling Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University. For public services. Sir John George Blaker. Three times Mayor of Brighton (1895–98); Chief Military representative for Brighton, area. For public and local services. John Arthur Brooke West Riding, Yorkshire, and County Ross. Very prominent and generous in all-religious and charitable movements in the Riding. For public and local services. Edward Clitherow Brooksbank Deputy-Chairman of Quarter Sessions; Vice-chairman of West Riding County Council; Chairman of Tadcaster Bench. Local Services. Coles Child During the War has been Chairman of West Kent War Pensions Committee, Special Grants Committee, and other War Committees. For public and local services. Cecil Herbert Edward Chubb. Presented Stonehenge to the nation, 1918. For public services. Captain Douglas Bernard Hall Justice of the Peace for Sussex; High Sheriff, Sussex, 1907. Started the first Hospital Barge Flotilla in the War, by which over 6,000 wounded were conveyed on rivers and canals in France. For public services. Sir Arthur Norman Hill. Chairman of the Port and Transit Executive Committee. Special War Services to the Ministry of Shipping. John Henry Holden. Mayor of Leigh for two years. Military representative for whole of Leigh area during the war. For public and local services. William Joynson-Hicks Raised 17th and 23rd Service Battalions, Middlesex Regiment. For public services. Lt.-Col. Alexander Leith Justice of the Peace for County of Northumberland. Food Commissioner for Northumberland and Durham. For public and local services. Laurence Richard Philipps Founder of Paraplegic Hospital in Wales. For public and local services. Sir Samuel Roberts Lord Mayor of Sheffield, 1899–1900. For public and local services. Sir Gerald Hemmington Ryan Justice of the Peace for Norfolk, Suffolk and London; President of Institute of Actuaries (1910–12); Chairman of Reform Club (1916–18). For public and local services. Col. Charles Edward Warde For long continued public services in Kent.
Aide-de-camp
To be personal Aides-de-camp to the King: Col. His Royal Highness Edward A.C.G.A.P.D., Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall Colonel-in-Chief, 12th Royal Lancers and Royal Scots Fusiliers Capt. His Royal Highness Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George Royal Air Force