MBE or OBE

[kesannah]

Please  can anyone help.  I am trying to findout which of these awards was given to a relative and why.

His name was JOHN BENTLEY 1921-1997. lived in Newport Mons.

I am told he received this award sometime between 1970 and1980.

I cannot seem to find how to access information in London Gazette.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[GrahamSimons]

The search form is here. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search Using "John Bentley" as an exact phrase search term brings up loads of results. If he had a middle name that would be ever so helpful.....

Or you could go to the issues with the New Year and Birthday Honours lists and work through them....

[kesannah]

Graham, Thankyou for that. Unfortunately John didn't have a middle name unlike his brothers.

[kesannah]

I have found The relative I was looking for but do not know how to find out why he was awarded the honour.

London Gazette Vol2 Page 15  John Bentley 8038

I would be grateful if someone could tell me how to access the details.

Thanks
Kesannah

[aghadowey]

You haven't mentioned the year but Honours are usually written up in the local newspapers (although might just say something along the lines of 'for services to medicine' or 'services to education').

[kesannah]

Thankyou.

The year was 1976.  Sorry I missed that out.

Maybe it would be in a Newport newspaper then though not sure about negotiating London Gazette, I may be able to manage local news.

[GrahamSimons]

Here is the page:

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/46919/supplements/8038

It was a BEM - he is described as John BENTLEY, Assistant Operator, Repair Line, Orb Works, Strip Mills Division, British Steel Corporation. So it was something to do with his work. You might try contacting Corus, the successor company, or the British Steel Collection http://www.britishsteelcollection.org.uk/ who may well be able to help.

[kesannah]

Graham Thankyou very much.  I hadn't had any luck with the newpapers in that area.

That is definitely my family member so I shall try contacting both of those.