LENNON'S MBE FOUND

LENNON'S MBE FOUND

December 8, 2005

AN MBE (The Member Of The British Empire) medal that John Lennon returned to the Queen has been found in a royal vault.

The Fab Four were invested in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1965, after topping record charts around the world.

But John returned his medal in November, 1969.
In a letter accompanying the medal, Lennon wrote, "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against COLD TURKEY slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon."

Now historians are calling for the medal, which was found in St James' Palace, to be put on public display.

THE MBE is only a token it didn't make any difference to the fact that Lennon was awarded the MBE ane would not be able to actually give up the status of it,same as the others who returned it at the time

Still I think it's cool to know it's still around. I love the note he sent with it.

I love how informal the note is since it's going to the queen. very nice, John, very nice.

LOL, yes. As though he'd like the queen to take his song to the top of the charts.

That note carries a heavier, more poignant reference to the time it was written than just a lark. And though it may be true he could not refute the honor the medal indicated he did everything in his power to separate himself from Britain esp. after the way the British press and people first treated Yoko. Which was why he did, in part, favor the states. I may be brazenly incorrect but I think had John lived he would've become a naturalized citizen of the US.

Originally Posted by Dr. Dreamer

I may be brazenly incorrect but I think had John lived he would've become a naturalized citizen of the US.

Probably.

had nobody checked on the wash-basin?

What a "coincidence" (ha ha ha) that they "found" it this week, when John is such a hot ticket, media-wise.

Originally Posted by pattiboyd's slave

had nobody checked on the wash-basin?

Very suave quote-dropping, PBS!

Originally Posted by pattiboyd's slave

had nobody checked on the wash-basin?

lol, apparently not

That's pretty cool they found it. I wondered sometimes what happened to it. Nice to know it still exists. Although how do they know it's John's? Are there names engraved on these things or something?

Originally Posted by Dr. Dreamer

That note carries a heavier, more poignant reference to the time it was written than just a lark. And though it may be true he could not refute the honor the medal indicated he did everything in his power to separate himself from Britain esp. after the way the British press and people first treated Yoko. Which was why he did, in part, favor the states. I may be brazenly incorrect but I think had John lived he would've become a naturalized citizen of the US.

I am not so sure, the American government didn't like him at all cos he was left wing which is way he was spied on constantly.

I thought all the beatles gave back their MBE...or am I dreaming? I also heard eric clapton received an MBE recently...is this true?

No, only John returned his.

How can this be?! These stories coming out saying that John's MBE has found in a vault. I reported this 3 yrs. ago What's up with that?

Story:
http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2009/rejec...in-royal-vault

Liverpool Beatles fans call on Buckingham Palace to release Lennon MBE

by Andy Johnson

Published Mon 05 Jan 2009

http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/l...ennon-mbe.html


Please Release M(B)E

The MBE medal that Beatle legend John Lennon famously rejected has been unearthed in a royal vault.

Now - 40 years after Lennon sent the award back to The Queen - Beatles historians are calling for it to be dusted off and put on public display.

The Fab Four were invested as Members of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1965, after topping record charts around the world.

But later Lennon decided that he had sold out to the Establishment and returned his MBE to Her Majesty 25th November 1969 as part of ongoing peace protests masterminded with Yoko Ono.

In an accompanying letter Lennon said:

"Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts."

"With Love, John Lennon."

Years later he was quoted as saying: "Lots of people who complained about us getting the MBE received theirs for heroism in the war.

"They got them for killing people. We deserved ours for not killing people.

"In a way it was hypocritical of me to accept it.

"But I'm glad I did really, because it meant that four years later I was able to use it to make a gesture."

Now Beatles fans have established that the medal has been located in a vault at St James' Palace and have written to Yoko Ono urging her to retrieve it.

The medal was found in a cabinet at the Chancery Department of the Royal Household where it has lain untouched for years.

It is still in the presentation case bearing the name John Winston Lennon, and has been stored along with his protest letter.

Beatles history experts regard it as one of the most important pieces of Beatles history and are calling for the medal to be exhibited in the city 40 years after it was returned.

It has been suggested that it should be given a permanent home at "Mendips", the childhood home John shared with his Aunt Mimi in Woolton, which was bought and donated to the National Trust by Yoko Ono.

Lennon had originally sent the medal to his Auntie Mimi and she kept it in pride of place on her mantelpiece, until John collected it and returned it to The Queen.

Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society founder Gene Grimes said: "The Palace are sitting on a unique piece of Beatles history and it should not be left to gather dust in a draw.

"There are several places in Liverpool where it could be displayed.

"It would be great on the mantlepiece at Mendips, where his Aunt Mimi kept it originally, or at the new Museum of Liverpool that is being built.

"John's decision to return the MBE should be respected, but I also believe that showing it to the public would be appropriate - since it would raise awareness of John's campaign for peace.

"The medal is a vital piece of Beatles memorabilia and should be exhibited for John's fans to see."

A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed that the MBE has been located and that it remains the property of John Lennon's estate.

The spokesman said: "John Lennon's MBE is being taken good care of and is in storage at the Central Chancery, St James' Palace.

"It has been retained since the day Mr Lennon returned it, but in order to decide whether the medal could go on display in a museum, we would have to establish ownership first.

"It could be up to Yoko Ono as she is the custodian of John Lennon's estate."

Gene Grimes added: "We thought John's MBE must have been melted down or put in a new box and re-cycled.

"It's wonderful to know that it has been kept safe all these years.

"John's memory will live on for ever in his music but this MBE is a very precious memento.

"We'd love to see the medal on public display in Liverpool where it belongs.

"It would a great reminder of John's message of love of peace that he always believed in."

Originally Posted by I am the Paulrus

In an accompanying letter Lennon said:

"Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts."

"With Love, John Lennon."

Except he didn't end the letter that way. He ended it 'John Lennon of Bag'.

Originally Posted by I am the Paulrus

and against COLD TURKEY slipping down the charts."

Haha that made me laugh

Originally Posted by I am the Paulrus

How can this be?! These stories coming out saying that John's MBE has found in a vault. I reported this 3 yrs. ago What's up with that?

Well I guess no one's listening to you. A story's not hard news unless it gets repeated 3 years later