The British archival goldmine of Christopher Hinton’s diaries (not all of which can be viewed) offers a look at some of the quirks of that mercurial, impressive man. On January 1 each year he would grab the newspaper (not sure which one but probably The Times) and check the British honours list. He liked to line himself up against peers but especially against his ally and rival John Cockcroft. His January 1, 1957 entry contains:
I got KBE in New Years honours list. Owen got K. Kronberger got an OBE. Cockcroft an OM!
Hinton, Christopher. 1957. Hinton diary 1957. “A.43,” Box “Hinton of Bankside – A.32 – A.45. Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London, Jan. 1.
I gather the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) is “very prestigious,” but the Order of Merit (OM) is “extremely prestigious,” being restricted typically to twenty-four lucky souls. Hence the diary entry’s exclamation mark…
