  |
|
|
|
brevet status
This archived discussion is "read only".
» lollies100 - breveted officers John,when I read lately some diaries of officers present in the Crimea I was wondering why they looked so anxiously to the promotion lists, even those officers who bought their commission. I thought that, with a lot of the officers dying there would be plenty of occasion to buy a higher rank. Did these 'wartime promotions' were only effective locally, at the theatre of war, i.e. resulting in a higher pay? How did they affected the later career of the concerned officer? When returning to the 'normal' peacetime how did a breveted officer came into the real command in his new rank ; when he had to buy his new commission did he had to pay the supplement to the higher grade for two steps then? regards Herman -- posted by lollies100 » John_Barr - Re: breveted officers In response to breveted officers posted by lollies100:Hi Herman! The answer has to be a bit complicated but I'll do my best. There were two routes to promotion in the British infantry and cavalry - the Regimental list and the Army list. Brevet rank was relevant to the Army List only. It was an award, ostensibly for meritorious service, but often a case of who you knew, and/or being in the right place at the right time. There was no laid down allocation for the number of brevets per rank, but being subject to Commander in Chief approval, numbers were broadly controlled. Recipients were allowed to wear the badges of rank, uniforms etc of their brevet rank, and were granted army seniority in this rank. They retained the pay and responsibilities of their lower regimental rank. The big advantage to Brevets was that they were clocking up seniority in the brevet rank whilst their peers still with only the regimental rank were not. This became especially significant at the level of Lieut Colonel, above which purchase was not permitted. A kind of brevet system operated for all officers of the Foot Guards, who carried army rank one level above regimental rank at ensign and lieutenant level, and two levels above at Captain. This enormous career advantage partially explains why so many Guards Officers made General rank. So to answer part of your question, the brevet system had nothing to do with purchase, which was confined to the regimental system. At regimental level, in peacetime a commission/promotion was usually obtained by purchase. Under the new system on commissioning from the RMC Sandhurst, the young graduate could opt for commissioning by purchase or non-purchase. If by purchase, he could be gazetted into the first ensign vacancy which occured through sale - for non-purchase, it was waiting for a vacancy occuring through death, and then the applicant had to be considered amongst others. A few nonpurchase commissions were reserved for the top Sandhurst graduates. Within the regiment, when an officer sold his commission, other officers had the right to purchase into the vacancy by order of seniority, hence one reason for the interest in promotion lists. Of course there were also spectacular purchases into field rank from outside at grossly inflated prices, eg Lord Cardigan, but by and large the system worked internally. In wartime things were different, and lots more vacancies were available without purchase to replace casualties and meet the demands of expanded active service levels of manning. Also non purchase promotions were available for spectacular achievements and gallantry. As you rightly say, once the war was over establishments shrunk to peacetime levels and many officers found themselves high and dry on half pay. They could of course resign, when they would normally be refunded the amount they had expended on commissions. (There was no pension until 1871). Officers who had not purchased any commissions could retire with a proportion of the sale value provided he had served a minimum of three years and I believe there was thereafter a prorata system related to service up to the full price after 20 years. The purchase system did not apply to officers of the Royal Artillery or the Royal Engineers, nor to those promoted from the ranks. Hope this helps. Kind regards -- posted by John_Barr » lollies100 - Re: Re: breveted officers In response to Re: breveted officers posted by John_Barr:John,thanks. -- posted by lollies100 » John_Barr - More on officers' promotion In response to Re: Re: breveted officers posted by lollies100:Sterling could become a full Colonel either by selection (probably unlikely as he was a bit of a rebel!) or by seniority as a Lieut Colonel on the Army List. However once a Colonel, his seniority in consideration for General rank would be less than Regimental Lieut Colonels who were brevet Colonels and who would have Army List Colonel seniority from the date of their brevet appointment. This was the true significance; the chances of becoming a General were greatly advanced once one was a brevet Colonel. It would be unusual to find brevet Majors outside the Royal Artillery, where there was no promotion by purchase, and brevet rank would ensure that you were at the top end of the Captain's list for promotion to Major proper. Fred Dallas would know where he stood within the 46th Foot promotion-wise, but his position on the Army List of Captains depended on factors unknown to him - deaths, promotions and resignations throughout the whole army. Getting to the top of the list was important for promotion into ex-regimental positions eg Staff, which you couldn't buy into. Commissions vacated by death became available for non-purchase promotion. I honestly don't know what the position was if someone wished to purchase into the vacancy; on the principle that money always talks I would assume he would be allowed to do so. I know of only two detailed sources for further study of the promotion system and I regret to say I have not studied either of them. However I will record them for what they are worth, as I know you have a great nose for tracking down the more obscure texts: Anthony Bruce (1980) The Purchase System in the British Army 1660-1871 Royal Historical Society London (1857) Report of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the system of purchase and sale of commissions in the Army Printed by George Edward Eyer and William Spottiswoode London Regards -- posted by John_Barr
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
|
|
|
