M.B.E. When was it awarded? Gazette Search so far fruitless

[MrsSelfPub]

After a long break from any research, someone asked me to 'do a tree' on Ancestry and I lit up with enthusiasm.  Having put together a fair old number of branches, I then discovered the person's great uncle was an M.B.E.  Not having researched any M.B.E.s to date, I thought it would be pretty easy to find out when it was awarded. W-R-O-N-G!

It may just be me but I am struggling with the search engine on the Gazette. I have tried downloading the PDFs and still can't find the gentleman even though I am pretty sure he was one of the many servicemen in the 1946 post-WW2 lists.

If anyone can offer any insight or searching tips for the Gazette, I would be most grateful.  I have watched the Gazette's 2-minute help video and it didn't ... help, that is.

Here are the details of the gentleman I am researching:

Ronald James Read
Birth Date   18 Dec 1905 Winterslow, Wiltshire
Death Date   17 Jan 1950

Rank   Warrant Officer - RSM - regimental sergeant-major
Regiment   4 HUSSARS
Cemetery   Batu Gajah Christian Cemetery
Grave Number   420

I have included a newspaper cutting announcing his death and it mentions the M.B.E. I hope it is readable.
Many thanks
Helen

[softly softly]

Appears to have received MBE pre 1924 ?

First name(s) Ronald James
County Wiltshire
Last name Read M. B. E.
Country England
Age 18
View the original source View the record's source

Birth year 1906
Original source Royal Tank Corps Enlistment Records, 1919-1934
Service number 543385
Record set World War 2 Allies Collection
Regiment Royal Tank Corps
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Year 1924
Subcategory Second World War
Attestation year 1924

SS

[JenB]

Appears to have received MBE pre 1924 ?

The original document shows that 'MBE' was added to the record later (but no date given)

[rosie99]

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7625337
Recommendation for Award
Reference:   WO 373/157/759
Description:   
Name   Read, Ronald James
Rank:   Warrant Officer Class 1
Service No:   543385
Regiment:   4th Queen's Own Hussars Royal Armoured Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation:   New Year Honours
Award:   Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

You can download the record - It is free if you register for TNA website
   

[Andy J2022]

In case it's not clear from rosie's posting above, he was awarded the MBE in the 1948 New Year's Honours, having been recommended by his CO at the end of August 1947.

[MrsSelfPub]

Amazing! Thank you very much to you all for solving this for me! 

I have just registered for the account on the National Archives site and will download the document. I will also have a go at finding it in the Gazette for 1948.

I feel the Family Tree bug biting me again .... 

Kindest regards
Helen