Order of the National Hero (Antigua and Barbuda)

The Most Exalted Order of the National Hero is an Antiguan and Barbudan order of chivalry recognising pre-eminently distinguished service to Antigua and Barbuda or to humanity at large. The present Order was established and constituted by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda under the National Honours Act 1998.[1] which received Royal Assent from the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda on 31 December 1998.

Most Exalted Order of the National Hero
Star of a Knight or Dame Companion
Awarded by

Antigua and Barbuda
TypeOrder of chivalry
MottoAnswering the Call of Duty
EligibilityCitizens of Antigua and Barbuda
Awarded forPre-eminently distinguished service to Antigua and Barbuda or to humanity at large
StatusCurrently constituted
Grand MasterGovernor General of Antigua and Barbuda
GradesKnight/Dame Companion (KNH/DNH)
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Order of the Nation

Ribbon of the Order of the National Hero

History

The Order of the National Hero was first established and constituted by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda under the National Heroes Act 1994.[2] This Act was repealed and the Order was re-established and re-constituted under the National Honours Act 1998,[1] which was amended in 2000,[3] 2001[4] and 2015.[5] Persons who were members of the Order before the 1998 Act came into force became Knights or Dames Companion of Order.

Composition

The Order is composed of the Grand Master and one single class of Knights Companion (KNH) or Dames Companion (DNH).

The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda is ex officio Grand Master of the Order. Membership is open to only citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and there may be no more than three living members at any one time.

Officers

The Order has five officers who compose the Chancery of the Order, as follows:

  • Grand Master
  • Chancellor
  • Secretary General
  • Antigua Herald
  • Barbuda Herald

Appointments

Appointments to the Order are made by the Grand Master on the advice of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and the Honours Committee established under the 1998 Act. The Honours Committee consists of a person appointed by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, two Members of the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda and four Members of the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda. The Governor General appoints the Chairperson of the Honours Committee from amongst its members.

Posthumous appointments to the Order may be made, but a deceased recipient does not appear on the current list of members of the Order.

New appointments are announced on the occasion of the Independence Day of Antigua and Barbuda (1 November). The Grand Master conducts investitures at Government House in St John's.

Precedence and privileges

Titles

In Antigua and Barbuda, Knights Companion of the Order may use the title "Sir" in front of their forename, and their wives may use the title "Lady" in front of their husband’s surname. Similarly, Dames Companion of the Order may use the title "Dame" in front of their forename. No specific privilege exists for their husbands.

Permission to use these titles outside Antigua and Barbuda is the prerogative of each relevant jurisdiction. For instance, British citizens, including dual citizens, who are Knights and Dames of non-British orders of chivalry may not as a matter of official policy use their titles in the United Kingdom.[6]

Post-nominals and precedence

Members of the Order are entitled to place post-nominals after their names as indicated above. They are also assigned a place in the order of precedence of Antigua and Barbuda.

Heraldic privileges

Knights and Dames Companion may petition for heraldic supporters to be granted to their arms. They may also encircle their arms with a circlet bearing the motto of the Order and the pendent insignia of the Order may be shown below the arms.

List of Knights and Dames Companion
Number Name Life Year appointed Notes
1 Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr 1910–1999 1994 [7][8][9]
2 King Court Tackey (Prince Klaas) c1694–1736 2000 (posthumous) [7][8]
3 Dame Georgiana Ellen (Nellie) Robinson 1880–1972 2006 (posthumous) [7][8]
4 Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards 1952– 2006 [7][8][9]
5 Sir George Herbert Walter 1928–2008 2008 (posthumous) [7][8]
6 Sir Lester Bryant Bird 1938– 2014 [7][9]

See also

References
  1. "National Honours Act 1998" (PDF). Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. "National Heroes Act 1994" (PDF). Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  3. "National Honours (Amendment) Act 2000" (PDF). Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  4. "National Honours (Amendment) Act 2001" (PDF). Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  5. "National Honours (Amendment) Act 2015" (PDF). Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  6. "Policy on the use of non-British titles in the UK". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  7. "National Heroes of Antigua and Barbuda". Festivals Commission of Antigua and Barbuda. 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  8. "List of National Heroes of Antigua and Barbuda". Antigua Nice. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  9. "Sir Lester Bird receives A&B's highest national honour". The Daily Observer. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
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