The title of Companion of
Honour was created in 1917 by
George V, around the same time as the
Order of the British Empire was founded. It is often considered to be
junior version of the
Order of Merit and is awarded for 'recognised services of national
importance'.
There is a 65 person limit on membership, and new members are nominated by the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth and approved by the reigning Monarch. The insignia of the Order is an gold oval medallion depicting an oak tree with the Royal Arms hanging from them, the motto 'In action faithful and in honour clear' is printed in gold on the blue enamel border. Members who have recieved this honour are entitled to use the suffix CH.
Current holders include physicist Stephen Hawking, composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle and actor Paul Scofield