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123-486: John Brian Statham , CBE (17 June 1930 – 10 June 2000) was an English professional cricketer from Gorton, in Manchester, who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club from 1950 to 1968 and for England from 1951 to 1965. As an England player, he took part in nine overseas tours from 1950–51 to 1962–63. He was a right arm fast bowler and was noted for the consistent accuracy of his length and direction. Statham

246-457: A 17-pace run, plus a hop, skip and jump. Statham was a natural athlete, however. He was both loose-limbed and double-jointed so his action was never going to be classic (in contrast to his future England partner Fred Trueman , also making his way at that time, whose cartwheel action was the epitome of classic). Statham soon won friends among his teammates because of his easygoing, humorous beer-and-fags persona. As it happened, Lancashire hadn't had

369-543: A GBE (in recognition of his role as chairman of the Scottish War Savings Committee) and the award of medal of the order to Lizzie Robinson, a munitions worker. The order had been established primarily as a civilian award; in August 1918, however, not long after its foundation, a number of awards were made to serving naval and military personnel. Four months later, a 'Military Division' was added to

492-404: A broad riband or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Knights Commander and male Commanders wear the badge from a ribbon around the neck; male Officers and Members wear the badge from a ribbon on the left chest; female recipients other than Dames Grand Cross (unless in military uniform) normally wear it from a bow on the left shoulder. An oval eight-pointed star is worn, pinned to

615-553: A burning building containing explosives. In December 1922 the statutes of the order were amended; there having been a large number of awards for war work prior to this date, these amended statutes placed the order on more of a peacetime footing. For the first time numbers of appointments were limited, with the stipulation that senior awards in the Civil Division were to outnumber those in the Military Division by

738-453: A circlet bearing the motto of the Order; the reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. (Prior to 1937 Britannia was shown within the circlet.) The size of the badges varies according to rank: the higher classes have slightly larger badges. The badges of Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Knights and Dames Commander, and Commanders are enamelled, with pale blue crosses, crimson circlets and

861-466: A citizen of a Commonwealth realm can convert their appointment from honorary to substantive, and they then enjoy all privileges of membership of the order, including use of the title of Sir and Dame for the senior two ranks of the Order. (An example of the latter is Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan , who was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order in 2005, and on successful application for British citizenship, held alongside his Irish citizenship,

984-614: A delivery which pitched short and Fagg went to hook it. Fagg was, however, surprised by Statham's pace and he mishit his shot, the ball going off the splice of the bat and being caught by Wharton at forward short leg. Statham said Washbrook liked his speed but not his length. Play resumed on the Monday and Kent were soon all out for 101 (Statham one for 13), the follow on being enforced by Lancashire captain Nigel Howard . In their second innings, Kent were dismissed for 97 and Lancashire won

1107-446: A draw after Lancashire had been set 276 to win on the final day and made 160 for three. Wisden said that Statham's first innings bowling bordered on the sensational. Statham ended the 1950 season with 37 wickets, a best return of five for 18 (against Somerset) and a good average (eighth among bowlers who took at least ten wickets) of 16.56. He had earned a regular first-team place and was awarded his county cap. Playfair described him as

1230-538: A factor which had far less impact on their southern rivals. Lancashire were again well served by Statham and Tattersall but now with sterling support from the left arm spinner Bob Berry and there was a considerable improvement in the team's batting performances. Before the Oval Test, MCC had named a nucleus of ten players for their forthcoming tour of the West Indies. This included Trueman but not Statham. During

1353-590: A fighting century by the young Colin Cowdrey . When Australia batted through Saturday and into Monday morning (Sunday was a rest day), Statham was England's outstanding bowler with five for 60. Australia were all out for 231, a lead of 40. It was the first time Statham took five in a Test innings. John Arlott nevertheless insisted he had been unlucky not to have an even better analysis. England made 279 in their second innings so Australia needed 240 to win and were generally expected to get them as they reached 75 for two at

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1476-443: A gold central medallion. Officers' badges are plain silver-gilt, while those of Members are plain silver. From 1917 until 1937, the badge of the order was suspended on a purple ribbon, with a red central stripe being added for the military division in 1918. Since 1937, the ribbon has been rose-pink with pearl-grey edges (with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division). Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear it on

1599-768: A ground staff vacancy which Statham could fill when his national service ended. MCC replied that Statham should first approach Lancashire as his native county club. Statham contacted the club and found that they had received a report about him from the Central Lancashire League. He was invited to take part in a two-day trial match in April 1950 and this was successful, especially as he dismissed two first team batsmen, Winston Place and Alan Wharton . Lancashire offered him professional terms to begin in May after his national service ended. A civilian again, Statham joined

1722-535: A lead of over 200 and Ceylon collapsed again in their second innings, Statham taking two for ten. Statham was not chosen for a Test match against India in 1952, the selectors preferring Bedser and Trueman to open the attack. They were a complete success and so Statham simply didn't get a look-in. He played well for Lancashire and achieved his first hundred wicket season with 110 at 18.08 but there were no really outstanding performances, his best return being five for 32 and he had only two five-wicket innings and one of those

1845-411: A left winger. He was offered trials by both Liverpool and Manchester City but these were vetoed by his father who was opposed to any of his sons pursuing a career in football. Statham's football team was managed by Eric Taylor who was also involved with Reddish & Gorton Cricket Club (R&G). In the spring of 1947, wanting to keep his players together through the summer, Taylor invited them to join

1968-400: A most promising pace bowler who was able to move the ball either way with genuine pace off the pitch. Statham returned to his old job in accountancy for the winter, a generous act by his employer as he had been absent for nearly two years since leaving for national service and then going straight into county cricket. He had just about settled in again when he received a huge surprise just after

2091-414: A notorious crowd riot involving bottle throwing. This spell was described by commentator E. W. Swanton as the best performance by an England fast bowler since the war, especially so considering the quality of the batsmen and the pitch. Statham's tour ended on the first morning of the fourth Test at Port-of-Spain when he pulled a rib muscle and could not bowl again on the tour. Wisden evidently thought he

2214-572: A player called George (the king's name) for many years and so Statham was nicknamed George in the dressing room to compensate for the absence. Statham played a total of fifteen matches for Lancashire in 1950. One was against the touring West Indians and the rest were in the County Championship which ended with the title being shared by Lancashire and Surrey . Lancashire had last won the title in 1934 and would not win it again until 2011. Statham's fourth match, starting on Saturday, 1 July,

2337-506: A player may only receive this award once in his career. The original format Playfair annual selected a team of the season in each of its 1950 to 1962 editions under the heading of Playfair's XI Cricketers of the Year . In contrast to the Wisden award, there was no limit on the number of times a player could be selected by Playfair . In the 1955 edition, Statham was named for the first time (he

2460-492: A proportion of six to one. Furthermore appointments in the civil division were to be divided equally between UK and overseas awards. With regard to the Medal of the Order (but not the order itself), a distinction was made in 1922 between awards 'for gallantry' and awards 'for meritorious service' (each being appropriately inscribed, and the former having laurel leaves decorating the clasp, the latter oak leaves). In 1933 holders of

2583-531: A result, Australia amassed 601 for eight declared and went on to win by an innings and 154 runs. Although Statham finished with two for 123, one of his rare centuries conceded, the Australian and English media all agreed that his bowling was top-class. In terms of his contribution to the England team, it is widely agreed that Statham's most outstanding performance was in the second innings of the second Test at

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2706-450: A second good fast bowler, their attack being effectively limited to Statham, off spinner Roy Tattersall and left arm spinner Malcolm Hilton . Statham was chosen as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year for 1954, the award being announced in the 1955 edition of Wisden Cricketer's Almanack . The other four players were Bruce Dooland , Fazal Mahmood , Eric Hollies and George Tribe . Unless there are exceptional circumstances,

2829-463: A timed bowling speed test which resulted in 85 mph for Statham and 89 mph for Tyson, though Tyson was not bowling flat out as he had done in Australia. In addition, the test took place in wet conditions. In good bowling conditions, Statham's top speed would have been over ninety, which is very fast indeed. The generally accepted world record for the fastest recorded delivery of a cricket ball

2952-560: A tireless, skilful into-the-wind bowler. The tour was all about fast bowling and it was all because of fast-paced pitches, which Tyson and Statham could exploit to the full. From the start, Hutton put the opposition in to bat when he won the toss. Statham said the tour boasted the fastest and bounciest pitches he ever bowled on, especially the one at the WACA Ground in Perth. The tour was the last one to be undertaken by sea voyage only and

3075-493: A two-day match against a South Australian Country XI in Mount Gambier , which was at the time celebrating its city charter. The Country XI in their second innings were dismissed for 45. Statham came on to bowl when the score was 27 for three and, after he had bowled 26 balls, he had taken six wickets (all bowled) for no runs. He finished with six for three from four eight-ball overs including three maidens. Soon afterwards,

3198-617: Is 100.23 mph by Shoaib Akhtar at Cape Town's Newlands Cricket Ground in February 2003. Lancashire slipped to ninth in the County Championship, largely because Statham had no regular fast bowling partner and, crucially given frequent unavailability, no backup. He played for the county only sixteen times, half their total matches, because of not only Test calls but also illness and injury problems. In county cricket, he took 84 wickets at 12.82 and Playfair said he remained

3321-516: Is an image of Britannia surrounded by the motto, with the words "For Meritorious Service" at the bottom; on the reverse is George V's Imperial and Royal Cypher, with the words "Instituted by King George V" at the bottom. The name of the recipient is engraved on the rim. This medal is nicknamed "the Gong", and comes in both full-sized and miniature versions – the latter for formal white-tie and semi-formal black-tie occasions. A lapel pin for everyday wear

3444-662: Is generally supposed that he was invited on Hutton's firm recommendation. He played against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in February and then went with the MCC team to New Zealand. After playing against Auckland and Otago, Statham made his Test match debut for England against New Zealand at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, the four-day match starting on Saturday, 17 March. Statham bowled first change after Alec Bedser and Trevor Bailey had shared

3567-973: Is not a member of the College of Arms , as are many other heraldic officers; and the Lady Usher of the Purple Rod does not – unlike the Order of the Garter equivalent, the Lady Usher of the Black Rod – perform any duties related to the House of Lords . Since the Second World War, several Commonwealth realms have established their own national system of honours and awards and have created their own unique orders, decorations and medals. A number, though, continue to make recommendations for appointments to

3690-406: Is perhaps best remembered for the fast bowling partnerships he formed at international level with, first, Frank Tyson and then, more famously, with Fred Trueman . Unlike the latter, Statham did not make the ball swing in flight but, by pitching it on the seam, he could achieve very fast deviation off the pitch which accounted for many a batsman's wicket. In 1963, he briefly held the world record for

3813-559: The Order of Canada . On the other hand, the Australian Honours System unilaterally created in 1975 did not achieve bi-partisan support until 1992, which was when Australian federal and state governments agreed to cease Australian recommendations for British honours; the last Australian recommended Order of the British Empire appointments were in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours . New Zealand continued to use

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3936-612: The Sydney Cricket Ground when Tyson bowled at frightening speed with a strong wind behind him. Tyson had shortened his run-up and this had the beneficial result of increasing his accuracy. Statham toiled into the wind at the other end and his accuracy gave the Australian batsmen no respite. Tyson took six for 85 and Statham three for 45 from nineteen eight-ball overs, an immense physical effort. Their performance enabled England to snatch an unexpected victory by 38 runs, having been 74 behind on first innings. If Australia had won

4059-546: The civil service . It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal , whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order. The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V , who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'. Equal recognition

4182-406: The 1950s, was the lack of bowling reserves of the right calibre and so Statham and Tattersall were always over-worked. There was no MCC tour in 1952–53 so Statham returned to the accountancy firm for the winter months. He told Derlien that it gave him a much-needed rest from cricket. Statham's next chance of a Test appearance was in the 1953 Ashes series. With 101 wickets at 16.33 in the season, he

4305-473: The 21st century quotas were introduced to ensure consistent representation among recipients across nine categories of eligibility: with the largest proportion of awards being reserved for community, voluntary and local service. Non-military awards of the British Empire Medal resumed in 2012, starting with 293 BEMs awarded for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee . In 2017 the centenary of

4428-792: The British Empire . Rather than using this chapel, the Order now holds its great services upstairs in the nave of the cathedral. In addition to the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire, St Paul's Cathedral also houses the Chapel of the Order of St Michael and St George . Religious services for the whole Order are held every four years; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander prefix Sir , and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander prefix Dame , to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix Lady to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Knights or spouses of Dames. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when

4551-494: The British Empire for Gallantry. Any individual made a member of the order for gallantry after 14 January 1958 wears an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same ribbon as the badge, with a miniature version on the ribbon bar when worn alone. When the ribbon only is worn the emblem is worn in miniature. It could not be awarded posthumously , and was replaced in 1974 with the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM). If recipients of

4674-824: The Military Division of the order from the UK and across the Empire. Recommendations for all appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the King's United Kingdom ministers (recommendations for overseas awards were made by the Foreign Office , the Colonial Office , the India Office and the Dominions Office ); but in the early 1940s the system was changed to enable

4797-599: The New Year. He and his Lancashire colleague Roy Tattersall were summoned as reinforcements for the injury-hit MCC team touring Australia and New Zealand. They left behind a severely cold winter in Manchester and flew to a severely hot summer in Adelaide where Statham played his first overseas match against South Australia, starting on Saturday, 27 January 1951. Statham had never even met the majority of his new team-mates but he had encountered and impressed Len Hutton, and it

4920-690: The Old Trafford ground staff. His parents had no objection to him pursuing a cricket career. He began his new career by playing in Club & Ground matches and was soon chosen for the Second XI, who were the reigning Minor Counties champions. He played in their first five matches, taking 26 wickets at 14 runs apiece. One of Lancashire's biggest worries in 1950 was finding a successor to their veteran pace bowler Dick Pollard and Statham's arrival solved that problem. Pollard retired from first-class cricket at

5043-436: The Order of the British Empire for Gallantry received promotion within the order, whether for gallantry or otherwise, they continued to wear also the insignia of the lower grade with the oak leaves; however, they used only the post-nominal letters of the higher grade. When the order was founded in 1917, badges, ribands and stars were appointed for wear by recipients. In 1929 mantles, hats and collars were added for recipients of

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5166-520: The Order of the British Empire. In 2024 appointments to the order were made by the governments of: Most members of the order are citizens of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth realms that use the UK system of honours and awards. In addition, honorary awards may be made to citizens of nations where the monarch is not head of state ; these permit use of post-nominal letters, but not the title of Sir or Dame . Honorary appointees who later become

5289-404: The Order, however, are not assigned any special precedence. As a general rule, only wives and children of male recipients are afforded privileges. Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to be granted heraldic supporters . They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with a depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of

5412-799: The R&;G and that revived Statham's interest in cricket. R&G were members of the Saddleworth & District League. In October 1947, after Statham's first season there, they renamed themselves Denton West Cricket Club in response to local boundary changes and joined the North Western League for the 1948 season. Statham continued to play for them in 1948. Statham turned eighteen in June 1948 and became eligible for national service. He received his call-up in October and served eighteen months in

5535-584: The RAF team in its first-class days. Their side for the first such game, against Rest of England at Eastbourne in September 1922, included no fewer than eight current or future Test cricketers : Jack Hobbs , Wally Hardinge , Frank Woolley , Percy Fender , Harold Gilligan , George Geary , Charlie Parker and Abe Waddington (though none of them were currently serving in the RAF). However, after this festival game,

5658-555: The RAF until 1 May 1950. He was based at RAF Stafford and did clerical work for one of the aircraft maintenance units. He was able to travel home each weekend in the summer of 1948 to play for Denton West and he topped the North Western League's bowling averages for the season. He was invited to join Stockport Cricket Club in the Central Lancashire League but initially turned it down because he

5781-514: The Test match, on the Monday morning, the selectors announced the names of five more tourists and Statham was among these. Later the same day, he took five for 14 against Glamorgan at Old Trafford. After the euphoria of regaining the Ashes, the winter tour of West Indies began disastrously for England who lost the first two Tests but then recovered to draw the series 2–2 with one match drawn. The series

5904-484: The Tests against South Africa, taking four wickets in all. England won the series by three Tests to one, the bowling honours being shared by Alec Bedser and the spinners Jim Laker and Roy Tattersall. Lancashire, with eight victories in their 28 matches, finished third but a long way behind winners Warwickshire . There was a key fixture for Lancashire at Old Trafford in May when they met their co-champions Surrey. Statham

6027-463: The United Kingdom; those who would formerly have met the criteria for the medal were instead made eligible for the MBE. In 2004, a report entitled A Matter of Honour: Reforming Our Honours System by a Commons select committee recommended phasing out the Order of the British Empire, as its title was "now considered to be unacceptable, being thought to embody values that are no longer shared by many of

6150-450: The addition of a vertical pearl grey stripe in the centre for awards in the military division). From time to time the order was expanded: there was an increase in the maximum permitted number of recipients in 1933, and a further increase in 1937. During the Second World War, as had been the case during and after World War I, the number of military awards was greatly increased; between 1939 and 1946 there were more than 33,000 appointments to

6273-479: The boundary where his running speed and the accuracy of his throwing were great assets. He batted left-handed, invariably as a tailender, and was occasionally effective when stubborn resistance was required. He captained Lancashire for three seasons from 1965 to 1967. He became a member of Lancashire's committee from 1970 to 1995 and was elected club president in 1997 and 1998. After his death in 2000, part of Warwick Road alongside Lancashire's Old Trafford Cricket Ground

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6396-474: The cathedral. That year, Commonwealth awards made up 40% of all OBEs and MBEs awarded (and 35% of all living recipients of the higher awards). Gradually that proportion reduced as independent states within the Commonwealth established their own systems of honours . The last Canadian recommendation for the Order of the British Empire was an MBE for gallantry gazetted in 1966, a year before the creation of

6519-418: The circlet. In 1929, to bring the order into line with the other orders of chivalry, members of the first class of the order (GBE) were provided with mantles, hats and collars. Only Knights/Dames Grand Cross wear these elaborate vestments; the hat is now rarely, if ever, worn. Use of the mantle is limited to important occasions (such as quadrennial services and coronations ). The mantle is always worn with

6642-491: The close with Statham having taken the wicket of Arthur Fagg , caught by Alan Wharton for four. Statham later recalled that it was fluke dismissal. His captain Cyril Washbrook told him to maintain a good length against Fagg who was strong against short-pitched bowling and played the hook shot exceptionally well. Statham started well enough, conceding only a couple of singles in his first two overs but he then mistimed

6765-444: The collar. Although the mantle was introduced in 1929, very few mantles would have been produced prior to the 1937 design changes, as there were few occasions for wearing them in the intervening years. On certain days designated by the sovereign, known as " collar days ", members attending formal events may wear the order's collar over their military uniform, formal day dress, evening wear or robes of office. Collars are returned upon

6888-479: The country's population". The committee further suggested changing the name of the award to the Order of British Excellence, and changing the rank of Commander to Companion (as the former was said to have a "militaristic ring"), as well as advocating for the abolition of knighthoods and damehoods; the government, however, was not of the opinion that a case for change had been made, and the aforementioned suggestions and recommendations were not, therefore, pursued. In

7011-403: The death of their owners, but other insignia may be retained. The six office-holders of the order wear pearl-grey mantles lined with rose-pink, having on the right side a purple shield charged with the roundel from the badge. Each of these office-holders wears a unique badge of office, suspended from a gold chain worn around the neck. The British Empire Medal is made of silver. On the obverse

7134-626: The distinction between ranks in military operational gallantry awards will cease'. The reforms affected the order at various levels: for example the automatic award each year of a GBE to the Lord Mayor of London ceased; the OBE replaced the Imperial Service Order as an award for civil servants and the number of MBEs awarded each year was significantly increased. As part of these reforms the British Empire Medal stopped being awarded by

7257-413: The end of the fourth day's play. On the final day, Tyson and Statham destroyed Australia and England won by 128 runs. Tyson took seven for 27 in what is remembered as his greatest bowling performance but he said afterwards that the analyses could so easily have been reversed. Statham finished with two for 38 and so took seven for 98 in the match. On Wednesday, 19 January 1955, Statham was playing for MCC in

7380-560: The end of the season. Although Statham had not yet had any real coaching, he soon impressed the Lancashire coach Harry Makepeace who, only two weeks later, ensured his selection for the first team in the match against Kent at Old Trafford. It began on Saturday, 17 June, Statham's twentieth birthday. Lancashire scored 271 on the Saturday (Statham, batting eleven, was last man out without scoring) and they reduced Kent to 62 for four at

7503-606: The first Test against West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica, the first time they bowled in tandem. Although Statham took six wickets in the match, including four for 90 in the first innings, England as a team did not play well and lost the match by 140 runs. West Indies won the second Test at Bridgetown by 181 runs, Statham taking four wickets. It was mainly because of his dramatic opening spell at Georgetown, three wickets for ten runs reducing West Indies to 16 for three, that they had to follow on and England won by nine wickets, despite

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7626-634: The first Test at Trent Bridge , where England won by an innings and 5 runs. He took only one wicket in the match while Tyson was the matchwinner by taking five wickets in 45 balls to destroy the South African second innings. Order of the British Empire 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

7749-529: The former was to be responsible for recording all proceedings connected with the order, issuing warrants under the seal of the order and making arrangements for investitures, while the latter (at that time the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury ) was responsible for collecting and tabulating the names of those who were to receive an award. The office of Dean was added in 1957. The King of Arms

7872-466: The fourth Test was played at the Adelaide Oval on a good batting pitch. At the end of the fourth day, Australia on 69 for 3 had a lead of 51 and it was widely expected that the match would be drawn. Statham to that point had not taken a wicket. He was troubled by the big toe on his left foot after removal of an ingrowing nail just before the match began. He had been using padding to try and protect

7995-401: The fourth Test. He headed the national first-class averages for the first time, though his tally of wickets was limited to 92 because of appalling weather constantly interrupting cricket in Lancashire. Playfair noted that Lancashire had slipped from third to tenth in the championship but blamed the weather which ruined eleven of their matches. The main problem that Lancashire had was the lack of

8118-401: The governments of overseas dominions to make their own nominations; Canada and South Africa began doing so in 1942, followed by Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms. In May 1957, forty years after the foundation of the order, it was announced that St Paul's Cathedral was to serve as the church of the order, and in 1960 a chapel was dedicated for its use within the crypt of

8241-422: The high average of 36.62 with a best performance of four for 96. The series was drawn with one win apiece and three draws. Wisden commented on the serious difficulties posed by ground conditions throughout the tour with lifeless pitches resulting in more than half the matches inevitably being drawn. Wisden had words of praise for Statham who, despite the unfavourable conditions, looked menacing at times and showed

8364-450: The highest class of the order (GBE). The designs of all these items underwent major changes in 1937. The badge is worn by all members of the order; the size, colour and design depends on the class of award. The badge for all classes is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end) with a medallion in the centre, the obverse of which bears a crowned image of George V and Queen Mary within

8487-626: The honours system, calling it "a preposterous charade". The order has attracted some criticism for its naming having connection with the idea of the now-extinct British Empire . Benjamin Zephaniah , a British poet of Jamaican and Barbadian descent, publicly rejected appointment as an Officer in 2003 because, he asserted, it reminded him of "thousands of years of brutality". He also said that "it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised". Royal Air Force cricket team A number of notable cricketers played for

8610-446: The insignia to Buckingham Palace and by ceasing to make reference to their honour, but they still hold the honour unless and until annulled by the monarch. In 2003, The Sunday Times published a list of the people who had rejected the Order of the British Empire, including David Bowie , John Cleese , Nigella Lawson , Elgar Howarth , L. S. Lowry , George Melly , and J. G. Ballard . In addition, Ballard voiced his opposition to

8733-640: The junior post-nominal letters. The British sovereign is the sovereign of the order and appoints all other officers of the order (by convention, on the advice of the governments of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth realms ). The second-most senior officer is the Grand Master (a 'Prince of the Blood Royal, or other exalted personage' appointed by the sovereign, who, by virtue of their appointment, becomes 'the First or Principal Knight Grand Cross of

8856-528: The latter. Knights and Dames Commander and Commanders may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. See List of current honorary knights and dames of the Order of the British Empire Only the monarch can annul an honour. The Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases and makes recommendations for forfeiture. An individual can renounce their honour by returning

8979-463: The left breast, by Knights and Dames Grand Cross; Knights and Dames Commander wear a smaller star composed of 'four equal points and four lesser'. The star is not worn by the more junior classes. Prior to 1937 each star had in the centre a gold medallion with a figure of Britannia, surrounded by a crimson circlet inscribed with the motto of the order ('For God and the Empire'); since 1937 the effigies of King George V and Queen Mary have been shown within

9102-474: The major problem for opposing batsmen at Old Trafford, especially so on good pitches which didn't help other bowlers. The Test series was against South Africa and ended in a 3–2 win for England who had won the first two matches only for South Africa to win the next two and level the series for a decider at the Oval. Statham played in four Tests but missed the third at Old Trafford. He opened the bowling with Tyson in

9225-413: The match but also the series. The final Test was ruined by rain and drawn. Statham ended the series with eighteen wickets at 27.72. Wisden wrote that, having been England's leading Test wicket-taker in the West Indies twelve months earlier, Statham reached his peak in Australia. While Tyson's name was in the headlines, it was the quiet man Statham who made it all possible and, with Alec Bedser fading from

9348-522: The match by an innings and 73 runs. Statham bowled opener Dicky Mayes for a duck and took one for eight. It was a promising start for a raw youngster who, according to Wisden , arrived at the ground with his boots in a brown paper parcel. The Manchester Guardian said that the debutant maintained excellent pace off the pitch and generally bowls at the stumps. Statham's bowling action received some criticism at first from so-called purists who claimed that he lacked rhythm. His action then has been described as

9471-588: The medal 'for gallantry', which had come to be known as the Empire Gallantry Medal , were given permission to use the postnominal letters EGM (and at the same time to add a laurel branch emblem to the ribbon of the medal); however, in 1940, awards of the EGM ceased and all holders of the medal were instructed to exchange it for a new and more prestigious gallantry award: the George Cross . In 1941,

9594-559: The medal of the order 'for meritorious service' was renamed the British Empire Medal , and the following year its recipients were granted the right to use the postnominal letters BEM. During the war, the BEM came to be used to recognise acts of bravery which did not merit the award of a George Cross or George Medal , a use which continued until the introduction of the Queen's Gallantry Medal in 1974. The designs of insignia of

9717-449: The medal. The colour of the riband was also changed: twenty years earlier, prior to the order's establishment, Queen Mary had made it known that pink would be her preferred colour for the riband of the proposed new order, but, in the event, purple was chosen. Following her appointment as Grand Master of the order in 1936 a change was duly made and since 9 March 1937 the riband of the order has been 'rose pink edged with pearl grey’ (with

9840-460: The most wickets taken in Test cricket and, having been overtaken by Trueman, he ended his international career with 252. His first-class career tally of 2,260 wickets is nineteenth in the all-time list and he has the best (lowest) average of all the top twenty bowlers. His total of 1,816 wickets taken in first-class matches for Lancashire is the club record. A natural athlete, Statham was an outstanding fielder who operated in deep positions, usually on

9963-473: The names of the former are written out in their fullest forms. Male clergy of the Church of England or the Church of Scotland do not use the title Sir (unless they were knighted before being ordained) as they do not receive the accolade (they are not dubbed "knight" with a sword), although they do append the post-nominal letters ; dames do not receive the accolade, and therefore female clergy are free to use

10086-436: The new ball. His first Test wicket was that of New Zealand opener Bert Sutcliffe , who had scored 116. It was a high-scoring match that ended in a draw. There were few Test opportunities for Statham from 1951 to 1953 but he continued to improve at county level. As he developed greater strength, he increased his pace from fast-medium to genuine fast. He took 97 wickets at the good low average of 15.11 in 1951 and played in two of

10209-454: The numbers restricted to the order as full members do. Although the Order of the British Empire has by far the highest number of members of the British orders of chivalry, with more than 100,000 living members worldwide, there are fewer appointments to knighthoods than in other orders. From time to time, individuals may be promoted to a higher grade within the Order, thereby ceasing usage of

10332-620: The order alongside its own honours until the establishment of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996. Other Commonwealth realms have continued to use the Order of the British Empire alongside their own honours. In 1993 the Prime Minister, John Major , instituted a reform of the honours system with the aim 'that exceptional service or achievement will be more widely recognised; that greater importance will be given to voluntary service; that automatic honours will end; that

10455-408: The order and medal were altered in 1937, prior to the coronation of King George VI , 'in commemoration of the reign of King George V and Queen Mary, during which the Order was founded'. The figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge of the order was replaced with an image of the crowned heads of the late King and Queen Mary, and the words 'Instituted by King George V' were added to the reverse of

10578-409: The order was celebrated with a service at St Paul's Cathedral. The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 officers and 1,464 members may be appointed per year. Foreign appointees, as honorary members, do not contribute to

10701-426: The order, to which serving personnel would in future be appointed. The classes were the same as for the Civil Division (as it was now termed), but military awards were distinguished by the addition of a central vertical red stripe to the purple riband of the civil awards. In 1920 appointment as an MBE 'for an act of gallantry' was granted for the first time, to Sydney Frank Blanck Esq, who had rescued an injured man from

10824-456: The outfield, let alone batting against him, was frightening. Tyson for his part said he felt as if Yehudi Menuhin had been playing second fiddle to his lead. In searing heat, England won the third Test at Melbourne where there was controversy about suspected watering of the MCG pitch. England batted first and were dismissed for a disappointing 191 which would have been disastrously much less but for

10947-569: The potential to become a top-class bowler of genuine pace. One of the few matches on the tour to provide a wicket with any life in it was the second international against Pakistan in Karachi. On the first day, both teams were dismissed for low scores with most of the wickets falling to pace or seam bowlers. Fazal Mahmood took six for 40 as MCC were bundled out for only 123; and then Statham with four for 32 and Derek Shackleton with four for 50 dismissed Pakistan for 130. Batting conditions improved on

11070-603: The same Order'). The position of Grand Master has been held by the following people: In addition to the sovereign and the grand master , the order has six further officers: At its foundation the order was served by three officers: the King of Arms, the Registrar & Secretary and the Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod. In 1922 the Prelate was added, and the office of Registrar was separated from that of Secretary:

11193-702: The scene, had become England's most reliable bowler. Statham played in both the Tests in New Zealand which England won easily, the second by an innings and 20 runs after New Zealand were dismissed for a mere 26 in their second innings, the lowest team total in Test cricket's history. He took twelve wickets in the two matches with a best return of four for 24 in the first Test at Carisbrook in Dunedin. At Basin Reserve in Wellington, Statham and Tyson underwent

11316-412: The second Test to take a two-nil lead, the series would almost certainly have been settled but Statham and Tyson changed that and England went on to win it by three Tests to one. Statham and Tyson shook hands on the field when the last Australian wicket fell and, afterwards, were full of praise for each other. Statham said of Tyson that he was at least two yards faster than himself and that watching him from

11439-437: The second and third days. MCC totalled 291 in their second innings, Tom Graveney scoring 123, and set Pakistan a target of 285 which they achieved to win by four wickets. Statham played against Ceylon in the final leg of the tour and MCC won this game comfortably by an innings and 33 runs. Statham took four for nine in the first innings as Ceylon were dismissed for only 58. Another century by Graveney enabled MCC to declare with

11562-584: The series. The Lord's Test was Statham's Ashes debut and he took two wickets. All of the first four Tests were drawn and England recovered the Ashes by winning the final Test at the Oval where England played two seamers, two spinners and one paceman but with Fred Trueman , who was still doing his national service, preferred to Statham. Trueman later commented on England captain Len Hutton's preference for seam over pace and so he and Statham did not bowl together for some years yet. If two pacemen were included in

11685-473: The squad, one of them would be twelfth man. Lancashire had a good season in 1953, which was a wet summer (there was heavy rain on the day of the Coronation ). Lancashire again finished third in the championship, this time behind Surrey and Sussex , but they were much closer to the title this time. It was argued that they would have won it but for frequent disruption of their home matches by the bad weather,

11808-461: The standard of the George Medal (even though, as appointments to an order of chivalry, they were listed before it on the Order of Wear . In contrast to awards for meritorious service, which usually appear without a citation, there were often citations for gallantry awards, some detailed and graphic. From 14 January 1958, these awards were designated Commander, Officer or Member of the Order of

11931-713: The team were away from England from September until April. The first match, in which Statham and Tyson both played, was a one-day stopover in Ceylon on 30 September. The matches in Australia were played from 11 October until 3 March, and in New Zealand from 5 to 28 March. A total of 28 matches were played including seven Tests and fourteen other first-class matches. Statham played in all seven Tests (five in Australia and two in New Zealand) and in thirteen first-class matches altogether. He took 54 first-class wickets (30 in Tests) and this

12054-506: The title Dame . Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal GBE; Knights Commander, KBE; Dames Commander, DBE; Commanders, CBE; Officers, OBE; and Members, MBE. The post-nominal for the British Empire Medal is BEM. Members of all classes of the order are assigned positions in the order of precedence . Wives of male members of all classes also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander; relatives of Ladies of

12177-589: The titles Sir for men and Dame for women before their forenames, except with honorary awards. King George V founded the order to fill gaps in the British honours system : In particular, George V wished to create an order to honour the many thousands of individuals from across the Empire who had served in a variety of non-combat roles during the First World War . From its foundation the order consisted of five classes (GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE and MBE) and

12300-534: The toe but this wasn't helping. The MCC masseur, Harold Dalton , had the idea of cutting a hole in the leather toecap of Statham's boot and this provided a great relief. He was then able, with Tyson, to bowl unchanged throughout the morning session of the final day in a temperature of above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Australia were reduced to 103 for nine and Statham took three for twelve that morning; Tyson took three for seventeen. The Australians were all out for 111 at half past two, leaving England to make 94 and win not only

12423-406: The years of the Second World War, Manchester Central Grammar School. He played for the school at both cricket and football but only played the latter outside school. He became disillusioned with cricket and developed a preference for tennis as a summer sport. Statham left school in 1946, aged sixteen, and went to work as a clerk for an accountancy firm. He was playing football for Denton West F.C. as

12546-587: The yorker to his repertoire and that accounted for a high percentage of his victims from then on. Despite his success, Statham did not play for the full Royal Air Force cricket team . Had he done so, he would have encountered Peter May and Frank Tyson who represented the Royal Navy and the British Army respectively that summer. Statham decided to accept Stockport's invitation for 1949 and played for them six times, when he could obtain weekend leave. It

12669-505: Was a personal triumph for Statham who established himself as a world-class bowler. He headed the Test averages with 16 wickets at 28.75, this on pitches widely acknowledged as being favourable to the batsmen. England's recovery hinged on his dramatic opening spell of three wickets for ten runs in the Third Test at Georgetown when he dismissed Frank Worrell , Jeff Stollmeyer and Clyde Walcott . Statham and Trueman were both selected for

12792-543: Was a self-assured young man, said Wisden , though always ready to listen and learn. The editor predicted, correctly, that Statham would be a personality in English cricket for many more years to come. Statham was selected by MCC to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1954–55. In the foreword to his book about this tour, Frank Tyson talked about Len Hutton placing almost all his faith in Tyson and Statham, whom Tyson described as

12915-469: Was against Somerset at Bath and he began with a sensational spell, taking the first five wickets for only five runs and reducing Somerset to 11 for five. They were all out for 72 and Lancashire won the match by an innings and 60 runs. Statham really made an impression when he encountered Yorkshire for the first time in the Roses Match which began at Old Trafford on Saturday, 5 August. A large crowd

13038-411: Was also selected in 1956 and 1961). In its summary of Lancashire's 1954 season, Playfair gave Statham a special mention by praising him as a greatly improved bowler who took a wicket once every six overs. In its Cricketer of the Year dedication, Wisden said Statham was always considered by the selectors, but had to fight for his place because of the competition from Bailey, Bedser and Trueman. Statham

13161-574: Was demanding, especially as he didn't take to foods like curry and rice, but he said he would always recommend the trip to other players, the experience to be gained being worth it. The team played five Tests in India and two internationals against Pakistan (these were less than a year before Pakistan was granted Test status on 28 July 1952). Statham took a total of 48 wickets on the tour, including four returns in which he took four wickets. He played in all five Tests against India but took only eight wickets at

13284-402: Was first announced at the end of December 2006, and is available to recipients of all levels of the order, as well as to holders of the British Empire Medal . The pin design is not unique to any level. The pin features the badge of the order, enclosed in a circle of ribbon of its colours of pink and grey. Lapel pins must be purchased separately by a member of the order. The creation of such a pin

13407-435: Was happy at Denton West. He later recalled earning his first money from cricket when a crowd collection was done on his behalf after one match in which he took eight for 15. He played for RAF Stafford's station team through the 1949 season and took a total of 96 wickets at an average of three. He recalled that the pitches were so lively that even a good length ball would rise above the stumps. Statham responded to this by adding

13530-425: Was in the Central Lancashire League that, for the first time, he encountered professional players. Stockport shared the 1949 league title with Milnrow Cricket Club, both teams amassing 48 points. An RAF corporal called Larry Lazarus, the sports NCO at Stafford, recognised Statham's potential as a fast bowler who could bowl straight. Lazarus was a Londoner and he wrote to Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to ask if they had

13653-586: Was in the last match against Northamptonshire . Lancashire again finished third in the County Championship but well behind Surrey and Yorkshire. Playfair sounded a note of caution, however, in saying the Statham and Tattersall were carrying the attack with no sign of useful support. Statham's biographer Tony Derlien said that both of them were suffering from long-term after-effects of the sub-continental tour and Statham admitted that he felt stale that summer. The underlying issue, which dogged Lancashire through most of

13776-405: Was instrumental in forcing another follow on, Lancashire again winning. In the Test series, he was chosen for the second match at Lord's but had little to do as it was a spinner's wicket and his Lancashire colleague Roy Tattersall took twelve for 101, England winning to level the series one-all. He kept his place in the third Test at Old Trafford but, while his opening partner Bedser took twelve, he

13899-469: Was made a substantive member and subsequently styled as Sir Terry Wogan). Although initially intended to recognise meritorious service, the order began to also be awarded for gallantry. There were an increased number of cases in the Second World War for service personnel and civilians including the merchant navy, police, emergency services and civil defence, mostly MBEs but with a small number of OBEs and CBEs. Such awards were for gallantry that did not reach

14022-414: Was only needed for a total of 24 overs. In the last two Tests, the selectors decided to pair first Trevor Bailey and then Derek Shackleton with Bedser, but Statham was content as he was certainly in the Test picture and his potential was recognised. Statham was selected by MCC for the winter tour of India, Pakistan and Ceylon from 5 October 1951 to 2 March 1952. He came back with mixed feelings. The tour

14145-513: Was open to both women and men; provision was also made for conferring honorary awards on foreign recipients. At the same time, alongside the order, the Medal of the Order of the British Empire was instituted, to serve as a lower award granting recipients affiliation but not membership. The first investiture took place at Ibrox Stadium , as part of a royal visit to the Glasgow shipyards, with the appointment of Alexander Ure, 1st Baron Strathclyde as

14268-412: Was outstanding in the match and began by dismissing both the opening batsmen, one of them clean bowled by a yorker, and took five for 33 as Surrey were all out for only 114. Surrey had to follow on and Statham again dismissed the openers cheaply en route to four for 29. Lancashire need just 39 to win. Soon afterwards, Statham made his first appearance at Lord's against Middlesex and his four for fourteen

14391-471: Was present and Statham caused a stir when he lost his footing and fell over while running up to bowl the first ball. He responded by simply dusting himself down and starting again. After conceding a single to Len Hutton , he bowled Frank Lowson for a duck and went on to take five for 52 as Yorkshire scored 226 with a century by their captain Norman Yardley . The match was an even contest and ended in

14514-585: Was recommended in Sir Hayden Phillips ' review of the honours system in 2004. The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire is in St Paul's Cathedral . It occupies the far eastern end of the cathedral crypt and was dedicated in 1960. The only heraldic banners normally on display in the chapel are those of the Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire and of the Grand Master of the Order of

14637-582: Was renamed Brian Statham Way in his honour and the south end of Old Trafford is called the Brian Statham End. Brian Statham was born on Tuesday, 17 June 1930 in his parents' home at 1, Chatham Road, Gorton, Manchester. They were John James Arnold Statham (1889–1962), a dental surgeon, and his wife, Florence, née Beevers (1889–1955). He was the youngest of four brothers. Brian was educated at Aspinal Primary School on Broadacre Road in Gorton and, through

14760-484: Was the highest tour tally in his entire career. Statistically, his best performances were the six for 23 which he took at Perth against Western Australia and his five for 60 at Melbourne in the third Test. Hutton's tactics went awry in the first Test at The Gabba in Brisbane where the pitch was not as fast as expected and England's fielders somehow contrived to drop twelve catches, half of them off Statham's bowling. As

14883-410: Was third in the national averages behind Les Jackson and Tony Lock , but even this good form could not secure a regular England selection. He played in only one of the five Tests against Australia, the second one at Lord's where England played three pace bowlers and one spinner whereas they normally attacked with two seamers (always Bedser and Bailey) and two spinners. Statham was twelfth man twice in

15006-526: Was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. Today the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state. The five classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade: The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander entitle their members to use

15129-472: Was well out of the match because, on such a true and easy-paced surface, even he would have found difficulty in worrying the batsmen. At the end of the tour, Hutton said that Statham had been England's biggest weapon and predicted that he would be a key bowler in Australia next winter. In 1954, Statham was effective when available to play against Pakistan who were on their first tour of England. Because of injury, he missed England's shock defeat at The Oval in

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