M.B.E.

In May 1963 when Pascoal reached the age of 55 he retired from Government service, although he was offered an extension. He had completed over 33 years of dedicated duty and was most pleasantly surprised to know that he featured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list of June 1963. He was awarded the Order of the Most Excellent Member of the British Empire! - M.B.E.

Informing him of the decoration, the British Governor of Kenya wrote to Pascoal:
"I was delighted to hear that Her Majesty the Queen has appointed you a Member of the Excellent Order of the British Empire, and I offer you my warmest congratulations.

"Your out-standing work throughout your thirty-four years in Government Service in many parts of the Colony and latterly as an Establishment Officer in Nairobi fully merit this award."

It was this same dignitary, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, (son of former British Prime Minister, Sir Ramsay MacDonald), the last British Governor of Kenya, who formally conferred the award on Pascoal. The investiture ceremony was held at Government House, Nairobi.

Joe was studying in London at the time, but Tim and his mother set off with their father - "a beaming trio" according to young Stan who was left at home. Tim himself recalls the pomp and fanfare of that colourful ceremony, and the pride with which his father stepped up to have his medal pinned on his lapel. Indeed it was a most fitting culmination of a long and loyal career with the British Civil Service in Kenya!

A local correspondent announced in the press:

"Mr. de Mello has carved a name for himself in the tablet of the illustrous galaxy of the British Commonwealth reserved for her renowned subjects; and studded gems of lustre, respect and dignity on our unique community despite the formidable odds against us. May God bless us with more men of Mr. de Mello's calibre!"

On 1st December 1963 the former colleagues of Pascoal, in the Ministry of African Affairs and Regional Administration, held a farewell party in his honour. On this occasion they presented him with an engraved silver salver as a lasting memento of happy association.

After having led such an active life Pascoal did not want to remain idle. He therefore accepted an offer to join private service and began working for an Israeli firm 'Express Transport'. That kept him well occupied for almost five years. But there were other considerations.