Shouldn't We Make Such Persons As This A Knight?

[anotheoldgit]

We see sportsmen such as Bradley Marc Wiggins, made a knight for what? riding a bike better than most and being paid handsomely for doing so, but he his not on his own.

David Beckham now that he has retired from football will no doubt be also in line for a knighthood, and of course there is his old boss who has also recently retired Alec Ferguson, yet another knighted sports person.

And yet here is an ordinary person with no other skill except as a soldier, who has also served his country and with little reward for doing so, yet even after suffering life changing injuries he still does so much for charity.

Yes such as he are the real Knights, and richly deserves the honour of being so, along with being called, SIR.

http://www.itv.com/news/2013-05-17/injured-soldier-lance-bombardier-ben-parkinson-moved-as-prince-charles-calls-him-an-inspiration-as-he-is-made-an-mbe/

[Sharingan]

I agree completely. I've often wondered if, since the state is so out of touch and give Knighthood's to those most normal people feel don't deserve it, if we shouldn't start a civil recognition system whereby a body is set up and someone receives an award and has an addition to their name so everyone knows that the have done something truly remarkable. I'm talking about people who are genuinely brave or exceptional like fire fighters who go the extra miles, soldiers, members of the public who exhibit such bravery etc. It's all very well saying oh there are awards already, but that's a piece of paper, I'm suggesting something which actually gives someone a 'civil title'- I don't think it would be impossible or illegal and I think it might just nudge the state into understanding a little more how the system of who receives a Knighthood and who doesn't has gone awry for most people.

[anneasquith]

imo. titles and gongs mean nothing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,this young man is a very strong and brave dignified person.

[Iluvspikey]

I totally agree with you. I don't believe in this giving sportmen annd women awards - with perhaps the exception of Tanny Grey Thompson who has done such a lot for the disdabled. To me the people who should be getting these awards are those who have done a lot for charity, or the crossing lady whos done it rain or shine for 40 odd years etc.

[jim360]

Perhaps part of the problem is whom the media thinks we want to know about. There are a great many honours that do end up going to people who "deserve it", but they aren't publicised nearly as much as the celebrities and sports stars.

[rockyracoon]

I think you're right there Jim, the headmaster at my children's school was awarded an OBE last year for services to education, there may well be many more like him given awards that we just don't hear about.

[bazwillrun]

giving these awards to the vast majority of these sports people and plenty of others for doing their jobs does nothing but devalue the award.

if DB had been married to just about anybody else you can be sure he would in all probability already have a knighthood

[Boto]

I agree, I think that sports people shouldn't be honoured for just winning a gold medal for instance. They compete for their own satisfaction not 'services to sport'.

[Zeuhl]

Knighthoods have traditionally been awarded to prominent people not necessarily 'do gooders'
The other issues are irrelevant (and often rooted in envy)
Surely no one thought it detracted that Alexander Fleming loved being a research scientist and was 'handsomely paid' for his work

I expect if Ben Parkinson's carries on his good work he will receive due recognition in time

[johnny37]

Just had a quick look at the net. Its difficult to find the rule for bestowing this honour in todays societyy. Only that it is for services to society. Difficult to see how riding a bike meets that criteria. Even Seb Coe seemed to find running the Olympics a doddle. As he was already a Lord I was waiting see what came next - Master Of The Universe?

[Sqad]

Zeuhl

\\\Surely no one thought it detracted that Alexander Fleming loved being a research scientist and was 'handsomely paid' for his work \\\

Not quite sure of my facts....BUT....he loved being a Research Chemist so much, that he gave it up after discovering penicillin.
Depends upon what one means by rich, but he did not die a rich man as we today would define the term.

I stand to be corrected.

[LazyGun]

I dislike our whole honours system right now. Seems to be largely reserved for celebrities and cronies.

I would certainly whole-heartedly support some system that was better able to properly recognise the unsung heroes and heroines that contribute so much to our everyday society, rather than giving an overpaid,possibly spoilt celebrity something shiny and more column inches in the media to furthe bolster their ego....

[Zeuhl]

You could be right about Fleming sqad

I was merely suggesting the spurious-ness of enjoyment and being paid as reasons for not receiving an honour

[Sqad]

LazyGun

\\\\ the unsung heroes and heroines that contribute so much to our everyday society,\\\

Naah!...these people love to be "unsung heroes" and if you gave them a knighthood, they would cease to be "unsung heroes" and their ambitions to live and die in anonymity would have been thwarted.
Anyway what a waste of a knighthood to an unsung hero....they don't travel first class, need a good table in a Michelin rated restaurant..........naaah! leave them "unsung" and give the knighthood to me.

[LazyGun]

I assumed you had received you honour years ago, Sqad, servicing - ermm, in recognition of - your service to humanity and AnswerBank :)

I'll happily put a recommendation in for you next time I am visiting my friends at Windsor Castle.. :)

[Sqad]

Lazy...LOL

[FredPuli43]

Highly paid, retired, professional who has, incidentally, been paid for helping others and improving the image of his profession, but would have done it for nothing....yes, Sqad gets my vote !

[Sqad]

Fred

\\\\ but would have done it for nothing..\\\

I enjoyed your post up until THAT point.

[FredPuli43]

Agreed, Sqad, I withdraw that part. Mind, I'd have done my job for nothing, but you know how it is; I would have had to sell the yacht to Mr Abramovich! !