Annual Investiture in London on 30th June 2007
The Priory of England held its Annual Investiture at the
St. James ́s, an Anglican Church, in Marble Arch, London
on Saturday June 30th, 2007. The solemn service of
Investiture began with a procession of all members
assembled into St. James`s Church. The Grand Priory of
the Order of St. Stanislas in England invited his
members, high Officers of the Order, foreign Priories of
the Order of St. Stanislas, and sympathizers to attend
this ceremony.
The Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas H.S.H.
Count Juliusz Nowina-Sokolnicki with his lady wife Avril
invested with assistance of Grand Prior of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dame
Mervyn Redding G.C.C.St.S., Grand Prior of England
Norman Offield G.C.C.St.S. Chancellor for Europe.
The Service was led by our Senior Chaplain, the
Reverend Derek Buxton, BD, CH.St.S., with the vicar of
St James’s, Bill Wilson, in attendance. He chose for his
sermon Chivalry, which reminded us of our
commitment to care for our fellow men. The following
new members were invested by the Grand Master:
John Garbutt Grade III Commander, Adam Janikowski
Grade V, Knights Cross, John Warham Grade V, Knights
Cross, Clive Warham Grade V, Knights Cross.
The Grand Master has created the grade of Knight
Bachelor and he was pleased to invest Squire Lee
Gifford with that honour. In addition, the Grand Master
made the following promotions and awards:
Promotions
Chevalier Joachim Penschke for promotion to Grade IV
Officer, Dame Annelore Braatz for promotion to Grade
IV Officer, Chevalier Ralf Neumann for promotion to
Grade IV Officer, Chevalier John Lee for promotion to
Grade IV Officer.
Awards
HE Chevalier Barry Theobald-Hicks Gold Medal of
Merit, Cannon Derek Buxton Silver Medal of Merit
Chevalier Leslie Grout Silver Medal of Merit, Dame
Nancie Slone Silver Medal of Merit, Knight Bachelor Lee
Gifford Silver Medal of Merit
Knight Bachelor
This year (2007) a new rank was created for the senior
Squires. When a Squire reaches the age of 18, they can
be created Knight Bachelor, with the post nominal
KBStS. The Mantle is as before for Squires, White with
the badge of the order on the left breast.
At the age of 21, they will then be dubbed as a Knight
of the order of St. Stanislas.
Among the guests were Mr. Norbert Wójtowicz, Grand
Commissioner of the Order of St. Stanislas, Chev.
Orland Machnikowski G.C.C.St.S., Chev. Chris von
Kielian, Count Zbigniew F.J. Guagni dei Marcovaldi
G.C.C.St.S., Chev. John Garbutt C.St.S. with his lady
wife, Chev. Alfred Winiecki G.C.C.St.S.At the end of the Investiture the Grand Master
surprised everyone, including the Prior of England, by
announcing her appointment as Grand Prior of Great
Britain. Following the Investiture thirty-one of our
members and friends assembled at the Victory
Services Club for a Gala dinner with the Grand Master
and Countess Avril as our special guests. We toasted
the Queen, the Grand Master and our Order and the
new Grand Prior took wine with all the new members
present. Members took the opportunity to catch up
with each other and a very pleasant evening was
enjoyed by all.Faithful Service Medal. To refresh memories, there is
a Faithful Service medal available for those members
who have served for 5 years or more. Every five years
from the date of issue of the medal, upon request a
silver bar can be attached to the medal ribbon. On
the 20th year the silver bars can be replaced with a
gold bar.The Faithful Service Medal.LONDON 2008On April 5th, 2008, the Grand Priory of England held its
annual Investiture in the Church of St. James, Sussex
Gardens, London. Three new chevaliers and two
dames were knighted. The dubbing ceremony was
officiated by the Grand Master, Juliusz Nowina-
Sokolnicki. Also participating in this investiture were
Grand Secretary Avril Sokolnicki, Grand Prior of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
Dame Mervyn Redding G.C.St.S., the Grand Prior of
England and Chancellor for Europe Norman Offield
G.C.C.St.S. Among the guests were Grand
Commissioner Chevalier Orland Machnikowski.