brevet status: More on officers' promotion

» 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