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The E-Sylum: Volume 12, Number 2, January 11, 2009, Article 19

JOHN LENNON'S RETURNED MEDAL FOUND IN ROYAL VAULT

A long-forgotten medal, rejected by its famous recipient, has turned up in London. The illustration here is not the actual medal - it's an example from Wikipedia. -Editor
MBE Medal The MBE medal that former Beatle John Lennon famously rejected has been found in a vault at St James' Palace.

All four Beatles were awarded the honour in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1965 for their services to music. But Lennon returned his in 1969 in protest against the Vietnam war.

The medal was discovered in it original presentation case – which bears the name John Winston Lennon – alongside a personal letter from Lennon to the Queen.

In the letter, Lennon wrote: "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon."

Beatles fans have called for the medal, which is thought to have lain untouched at the Chancery Department of the Royal Household for years, to go on public display.

To read the complete article, see:

(http://www.gigwise.com/news/48522/Beatle-John-Lennons
-MBE-Found-In-Royal-Vault)

From Wikipedia:
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are:

Knight Grand Cross (GBE) or Dame Grand Cross (GBE)
Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE)
Commander (CBE)
Officer (OBE)
Member (MBE)

Only the two highest ranks entail admission into knighthood, an honour allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' (male) or 'Dame' (female) before their first name.


Order of the British Empire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_British_Empire)

Wayne Homren, Editor



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