Queen Elizabeth Honors Three Southland Britons

Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s honors list named three Los Angeles-area Britons to ranks in the Order of the British Empire.

The three, all British subjects who have promoted British trade and culture in the Southland for years, were honored by the Queen, who had met two of them on her visit to California two years ago, said a spokesman for the British consul general here.

Norman Lee, a Beverly Hills businessman and philanthropist who has lived here 25 years, was made a Commander of the British Empire--the middle of the five classes of the OBE. Lee, who served as president of the British Olympic Assn. USA, joined his wife, Sadie, in founding the Lee British Pediatric Research Center at the City of Hope. The Queen officially opened the facility on her California visit.

Anthony Thompson, president of Rolls-Royce of Beverly Hills Ltd., was granted the title of Officer of the British Empire, honoring his 25 years of promoting British cars and his work to create the British-American Chamber of Commerce, of which he is chairman. Thompson, also helped lead the British Olympic Assn. USA’s efforts to raise funds to bring British athletes to the 1984 Summer Games.

Joan Wells, of Downey, was named by the Queen as a Member of the OBE. She worked with her husband, Walter, to found the Anglo-American Club here in 1966. She served as director and later president of the British Social and Athletic Club, an umbrella organization for British groups here.

The order, founded in 1917 by the Queen’s grandfather, King George V, recognizes men and women who have rendered important services to the Commonwealth.