BIAFRA : John Lennon returns his MBE in protest at British foreign affairs – archive, 1969

26 November 1969: The action was in protest against Britain’s involvement in Biafra, support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts

John Lennon, the Beatle, has returned the MBE he was awarded – as were the other three Beatles – in the Birthday Honours of 1965.

A spokesman for Apple, the Beatle company, said yesterday that Lennon had sent identical letters addressed to the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the Central Chancery saying his action was “in 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.” The letter was signed “With love, John Lennon,” in his handwriting.

The spokesman added: “Typed underneath the signature is ‘John Lennon of Bag.’ The letters are written on notepaper headed Bag Production, 3 Savile Row, London W1.’ Bag is the company set up by Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, to handle the film Peace Events, records and other merchandise.”

Sir Derek Taylor, the Beatles’ spokesman, said that the other three Beatles did not know John was intending to return his MBE until after the letters had been sent. “They are not intending to return theirs as well.”

Hero wants his medal back now

27 November 1969

A police hero, who sent his British Empire Medal back to the Queen in 1965, because the Beatles were given the MBE, has written to the Queen, asking for it back, now that Beatle John Lennon has returned his award.

Mr Cyril Hearn, now an author, of Madeville Court, Egham, Surrey, said last night: “John Lennon has made his point. I think it is a very courageous thing to do and the balance is redressed.”

Mr Hearn, who won his medal in 1944 for chasing an armed gang of bandits in Italy, said he returned it in 1965 because he thought the Queen had been ill-advised. “It was prostitution of the Order,” he said. It was reported on Tuesday that John Lennon had returned his award in protest “against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing” and against his record, Cold Turkey, slipping down the record charts.

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