Let's get a Posthumous Knighthood for John Surtees

[andy tims]

Dear friends,


I just signed the petition "Posthumous Knighthood for John Surtees" and wanted to ask if you could add your name too.


This campaign means a lot to me and the more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here:


http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petition...r-john-surtees


Thank you!


Andy


P.S. Can you also take a moment to share the petition with others? It's really easy – all you need to do is forward this email or share this link on Facebook or Twitter: http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petition...r-john-surtees

[dustybottoms]

Andy, I feel very strongly about this also and have signed.

Thanks for taking the time to set up.

Cheers.

[Sinnlover]

I too feel he should be recognised for his achievements
So I too have signed

John

[mattleicester]

Signed and shared via social media

[Chinnock]

Excellent idea and duly signed.

[Nev]

Signed and shared.

It had escaped me that John Surtees had not been knighted and only when he passed away earlier this week and i heard an interview with Jackie Stewart did it hit home, travesty.

[DJL-73]

I was under the assumption Big John had already been knighted.

Obviously I need to pay more attention.

Signed the petition (twice)

Dave

[MonkeyBoy]

Totally agree and signed

[JeremyO]

My understanding is that a knighthood dies with the recipient and cannot be warded posthumously.

[Velorum]

Great idea - signed

[CardShark]

My understanding is that a knighthood dies with the recipient and cannot be warded posthumously.

I believe this to be correct, IIRC there was a petition for Bobby More to be knighted after he passed away and that was refused on the same grounds. Signing this petition (and others that arise after someone's death) may lead to a review on how such honours are awarded however, unfortunately, I'm not sure it will make much difference in this case.

[CardShark]

I was under the assumption Big John had already been knighted.

Dave

He was awarded the CBE, can't remember when though.

[Padders]

Bearing in mind what has been stated above, what really is the point? He was badly served by the powers that be in life and awarding a knighthood now, which is of course non hereditary would presumably create Lady Jane but that is about it. What exactly is the Queen going to knight?

[alanm_3]

Bearing in mind what has been stated above, what really is the point? He was badly served by the powers that be in life and awarding a knighthood now, which is of course non hereditary would presumably create Dame Jane but that is about it. What exactly is the Queen going to knight?

The point being, it's recognition, albeit posthumously of his remarkable and unique sporting achievement.

Petition signed.

[Macca]

Exactly the ONLY man to have beaten the world on 2 wheels and 4 and just look at the competition he faced in that era, thoroughly deserved if you ask me, if we can make Andy Murray a Sir then John Surtees deserves something of a higher level of you ask me


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[Pino]

Signed and shared.

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[andrewcregan]

Why did nobody commence the petition whilst he was alive, and able to accept it?
Sounds to me that it might have been successful.

[Rob]

There are lots of examples of people that have deserved a 'posthumous knighthood' even if you just look at F1. As has been explained, they cannot be given.

[andy tims]

they cannot be given.

If enough people are supportive, there is always an outside chance that a change might be made.

Alternatively we could just all just accept the status quo all the time.

[Kingstepper]

Why not a campaign whilst he was alive?

[ozzies]

signed ,

[CardShark]

If enough people are supportive, there is always an outside chance that a change might be made.

Alternatively we could just all just accept the status quo all the time.

A fair point.

Despite my previous post on this I was still intending on signing up and I've just done so, on the basis that I feel it is deserved. I've also shared on FB.

[andy tims]

Why not a campaign whilst he was alive?

There were

[manganr]

Knighthoods are an outdated, almost farcical concept nowadays. I'm more than happy to recognise and remember individuals for their personal achievements and qualities without one.

[Kingstepper]

There were

Ok, fair enough.

As that was unsuccessful I can't see him being awarded one now then. Good luck anyway.

[Groundrush]

There have been lots of calls for John Surtees to be knighted over the years and plenty of people have been dubbed for much less. It is quite possible, even likely, that he was offered and declined the honour. Apparently you only get asked once.

While I think he was definitely deserving of the title, a postumous knighthood is simply not possible and the official position is that the petitions system is not to be used for discussing honours so it is very likely to be denied as it has been in the past. If the goal is to change the honours system then this is unlikely to change anything and I think there are much bigger issues with it than not dishing them out postumously.

[Dm1672]

Yep great idea ....Signed

[lordloz]

Why did nobody commence the petition whilst he was alive, and able to accept it?
Sounds to me that it might have been successful.

there were several attempts to do so without success....he only got the CBE in 2016 as it was.
I was looking into it however, you seemed to need letters of support from close friends and immediate family,work colleagues, etc.

was quite happy to start to write to Jane and family but it wasn't going to be a quick process.... sadly of course too late...

i did like Damon's tweet that he was blown away by the massive amount of retweets and messages about John which showed how respected and loved he was by the motorsport fans and audience

[andrewcregan]

Having done a bit more reading around, he certainly wasn't forgotten about

1959 MBE
2008 OBE
2016 CBE

Very highly recognised indeed.

[Kingstepper]

There have been lots of calls for John Surtees to be knighted over the years and plenty of people have been dubbed for much less. It is quite possible, even likely, that he was offered and declined the honour. Apparently you only get asked once.

While I think he was definitely deserving of the title, a postumous knighthood is simply not possible and the official position is that the petitions system is not to be used for discussing honours so it is very likely to be denied as it has been in the past. If the goal is to change the honours system then this is unlikely to change anything and I think there are much bigger issues with it than not dishing them out postumously.

A good point here.

Seems wrong in principle to give a knighthood posthumously to someone who would have the option to refuse it were he/she still alive.

[alanm_3]

Having signed it, there is, of course, the possibility that it was offered and refused before he died?

[Macca]

The wily old fox could well have turned one down


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[Andyg]

Signed, but I also was wondering whether JS would have accepted it.

[Thewatchbloke]

A total waste of effort IMHO. Not because Surtees didn't deserve knighting, he clearly deserved it more than a lot of (most?) recipients. The thing is he's now dead and it's not going to make a blind bit of difference to him, he was one of the greats and will always be remembered as such, Sir or no Sir.

[andy tims]

A total waste of effort IMHO.

Well I made most of the effort.

Others who remotely support the sentiment only have to sign or share on their social media

As @ just now only 77 people have, but if others shared on their social media, it can only raise the profile.

[Neil.C]

A total waste of effort IMHO. Not because Surtees didn't deserve knighting, he clearly deserved it more than a lot of (most?) recipients. The thing is he's now dead and it's not going to make a blind bit of difference to him, he was one of the greats and will always be remembered as such, Sir or no Sir.

All true.

Similar for Bobby Moore who is generally referred to as Sir Bobby amongst WHU fans even though he only received an OBE.

These people live on through their fan's hearts regardless of official recognition.