Jump to content

Commander-in-Chief of the Forces

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Commander-in-Chief of the Forces
Longest serving
FM Prince George, Duke of Cambridge
5 July 1856 – 1 November 1895
English Army
British Army
War Office
TypeSenior-most officer
AbbreviationC-in-C
Reports toSecretary of State for War
AppointerThe Monarch
Term lengthNo fixed term
Formation1645
January 1793
First holderCaptain General Sir Thomas Fairfax
as General-in-Chief
FM Jeffery Amherst, 1st Lord Amherst
as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces
Final holderFM Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Abolished12 February 1904
SuccessionChief of the General Staff

The Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, later Commander-in-Chief, British Army, or just the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C), was (intermittently) the professional head of the English Army from 1660 to 1707 (the English Army, founded in 1645, was succeeded in 1707 by the new British Army, incorporating existing Scottish regiments) and of the British Army from 1707 until 1904. In 1904 the office was replaced with the creation of the Army Council and the appointment of Chief of the General Staff.

Republican origins

[edit]

In earlier times, supreme command of the Army had been exercised by the monarch in person. In 1645, after the outbreak of the English Civil War, Parliament appointed Thomas Fairfax "Captain General and Commander-in-Chief of all the armies and forces raised and to be raised within the Commonwealth of England".[1] Thomas Fairfax was the senior-most military officer, having no superior, and held great personal control over the army and its officers. Lord Fairfax was styled "Lord General". None of his successors would use this title. In 1650, Fairfax resigned his post, shortly before the Scottish campaign of the War.[2]

Oliver Cromwell, Fairfax's Lieutenant-General, succeeded him as Commander-in-chief of the Forces.[2] Under Cromwell, the Commander-in-Chief was de facto head of state, especially after the dismissal of the Long Parliament. Cromwell held the office until 1653, when he was elected Lord Protector.[3]

On 21 February 1660, the reconstituted Long Parliament resolved "that General George Monck be constituted and appointed Captain-General and Commander in Chief, under Parliament, of all the Land-Forces of England, Scotland and Ireland".[4]

Post-Restoration history

[edit]

After Monck's death, the post, which gave the holder significant military power, was abolished until James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth successfully petitioned Charles II and was granted it in 1674.[5] After Monmouth's execution the post was again not filled until 1690, when it was bestowed upon John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, during the King's absence in Ireland.[6] It was likewise conferred on Meinhardt Schomberg, Duke of Schomberg the following year during the King's absence in Flanders, Marlborough having fallen from favour.[7]

After 1660 it became rare for British sovereigns to lead their troops in battle (with the notable exception of King William III); instead, it became normative for command (especially in time of war) to be delegated to an individual, who usually held the appointment of Captain General or Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.[8] (In early years these two titles were often used interchangeably, and/or the appointments were held concurrently). The office was not always filled: for example, James II and William III both functioned themselves as Commander-in-Chief; at other times the appointment simply lapsed (especially if there was no perceived immediate military threat).[8]

With the appointment of General Lord Jeffrey Amherst in 1793, the Commander-in-Chief was given authority over matters of discipline, over supplies, training and promotions in the British Army. The establishment of a military staff took place under the oversight of his successor, Frederick, Duke of York.[9]

In most instances, Commanders-in-Chief of the Forces were not Cabinet members (only Conway and Wellington had a seat in Cabinet by virtue of holding this office; Ligonier and Granby were also in Cabinet during their time in office, but in both cases sat as Master-General of the Ordnance).[8] Instead, the British Army was represented variously and tenuously in government by the Paymaster of the Forces (Paymaster General from 1836), the Master-General of the Ordnance (who did not invariably have a seat in Cabinet), the Secretary at War (who was not usually a member of the Cabinet) and (from 1794) the Secretary of State for War.[8]

With the demise of the Board of Ordnance in the wake of the Crimean War the Commander-in-Chief assumed command of the Ordnance troops: the Royal Regiment of Artillery and the Corps of Royal Engineers. The momentum of reform at this time, however, was toward increasing the authority of the Secretary of State for War. From the passing of the War Office Act 1870, as part of the Cardwell Reforms, the Commander-in-Chief was made clearly subordinate to the Secretary of State, to serve as the latter's principal military adviser, and was made to move out of his traditional office above the arch at Horse Guards and into the War Office. Nevertheless, in 1888 he is still described as having responsibility for all personnel and matériel issues for the army and auxiliary forces, and in 1895 he took on the responsibilities of chief of staff.[9]

The appointment of Commander-in-Chief remained in the personal gift of the monarch, and its independence was guarded by Queen Victoria (among others) as emblematic of the notion that command of the Army was vested in the Crown; during her reign, however, the office was (in 1870) made much more clearly subordinate to the Secretary of State for War (and to Parliament).[10]

Following the recommendations of the Esher Report, the office was replaced in 1904 with the creation of the Army Council and the appointment of Chief of the General Staff. The title reverted to the monarch, who remains (titular) "Commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces".[11]

Professional heads of the English/British Armed Forces
Royal Navy British Army Royal Air Force Combined
1645 N/A Commander-in-Chief of the Forces (1645/60–1904, intermittently) N/A. The RAF was formed in 1918
1689 Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771)
1771 First Naval Lord (1771–1904)
1904 First Sea Lord (1904–1917) Chief of the General Staff (1904–1909) Inter-service co-ordination was carried out from 1904 by the Committee of Imperial Defence under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister
1909 Chief of the Imperial General Staff (1909–1964)
1917 First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1917–present)
1918 Chief of the Air Staff (1918–present)
1923 Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (1923–1959, held by one of the service heads until 1956)
1959 Chief of the Defence Staff (1959–present)
1964 Chief of the General Staff (1964–present)

The Forces

[edit]

The British military (ie., that part of the armed forces committed to land warfare, and not to be confused with the naval forces) was originally made up of several forces, including the British Army, the others being: the Ordnance Military Corps of the Board of Ordnance (including the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Royal Sappers and Miners), being a professional, or regular force like the army);[12][13][14][15] the Militia Force (or Constitutional Force),[16][17][18][19] being a conscripted reserve infantry force able to be called out in times of emergency for home defence; the Yeomanry,[20] being a similar mounted force; and the Volunteer Corps, made up of voluntary reserve units that normally only existed during wartime.[21][22] The Board of Ordnance was abolished in 1855 and its military corps, commissariat stores, transport, barracks and other departments were absorbed into the British Army, which was also called Regular Force or Regular Army). The Reserve Forces were also known as the Auxiliary Forces and the Local Forces (as their personnel could not originally be compelled to serve outside their local areas), and were re-organised in the 1850s with the Militia becoming voluntary (but with recruits engaging for a period of service that they were obliged to complete),[23] and the Volunteer Force permanently established. These forces were increasingly integrated with the British Army during the final decades of the Nineteenth Century and the first decades of the Twentieth Century. The Yeomanry and Volunteer Force became the Territorial Force in 1908, and the Militia became the Special Reserve (and ceased to exist after the First World War).[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]

Appointees

[edit]

The following table lists all those who have held the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Forces or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure:
† denotes people who died in office.

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office Ref.
Parliamentary General-in-Chief Command
1
Sir Thomas Fairfax
Fairfax, ThomasCaptain General
Sir Thomas Fairfax
(1612–1671)		164516504–5 years[1]
2
Oliver Cromwell
Cromwell, OliverCaptain General
Oliver Cromwell
(1599–1658)		165016532–3 years[2]
General-in-Chief Command
1
George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle
Monck, GeorgeCaptain General
George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle
(1608–1670)		3 August 16603 January 1670 †9 years, 153 days[36]
Position vacant
(3 January 1670 – 30 March 1674)
2
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
Scott, JamesGeneral
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
(1649–1685)		30 March 16741 December 16795 years, 246 days[37]
Position vacant
(1 December 1679 – 3 June 1690)
3
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
Churchill, JohnGeneral
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
(1650–1722)		3 June 169030 April 1691331 days[6]
4
Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg
Schomberg, MeinhardtGeneral
Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg
(1641–1719)		30 April 169116910 years[7]
Position vacant
(1691 – 24 April 1702)
(3)
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
Churchill, JohnGeneral
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
(1650–1722)		24 April 170217118–9 years[6][38]
5
James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde
Butler, JamesGeneral
James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde
(1665–1745)		1 January 171117142–3 years[39]
(3)
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
Churchill, JohnGeneral
John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough
(1650–1722)		171417227–8 years[8]
Position vacant
(1714 – 1 January 1744)
6
John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair
Dalrymple, JohnField Marshal
John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair
(1673–1747)		1 January 174417440 years[40]
7
George Wade
Wade, GeorgeField Marshal
George Wade
(1673–1748)		174417450–1 years[41]
Position vacant
(1745 – 1745)
8
Prince William, Duke of Cumberland
Duke of Cumberland, Prince WilliamGeneral
Prince William, Duke of Cumberland
(1721–1765)		174524 October 175711–12 years[42]
9
John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier
Ligonier, JohnField Marshal
John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier
(1680–1770)		24 October 175717668–9 years[43][44]
10
John Manners, Marquess of Granby
Manners, JohnLieutenant-General
John Manners, Marquess of Granby
(1721–1770)		13 August 176617 January 17703 years, 157 days[45]
Position vacant
(17 January 1770 – 19 March 1778)
11
Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
Amherst, JeffreyField Marshal
Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
(1717–1797)		19 March 177829 March 17824 years, 10 days[46]
12
Henry Seymour Conway
Conway, HenryField Marshal
Henry Seymour Conway
(1721–1795)		29 March 178221 January 179310 years, 298 days[47]
Commander-in-Chief
1
Jeffery Amherst, 1st Lord Amherst
Amherst, JeffreyField Marshal
Jeffery Amherst, 1st Lord Amherst
(1717–1797)		January 1793February 17952 years, 31 days[48]
2
Prince Frederick, Duke of York
Duke of York, Prince FrederickField Marshal
Prince Frederick, Duke of York
(1763–1827)		3 April 179525 March 180913 years, 356 days[49]
3
Sir David Dundas
Dundas, DavidGeneral
Sir David Dundas
(1735–1820)		18 March 180926 May 18112 years, 69 days[50]
(2)
Prince Frederick, Duke of York
Duke of York, Prince FrederickField Marshal
Prince Frederick, Duke of York
(1763–1827)		29 May 18115 January 1827 †15 years, 221 days[51]
4
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Wellesley, ArthurField Marshal
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
(1769–1852)		22 January 182722 January 18281 year[52]
5
Rowland Hill, 1st Lord Hill
Hill, RowlandGeneral
Rowland Hill, 1st Lord Hill
(1772–1842)		22 January 182815 August 184214 years, 205 days[53]
(4)
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Wellesley, ArthurField Marshal
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
(1769–1852)		15 August 184214 September 1852 †10 years, 30 days[54]
6
Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge
Hardinge, HenryField Marshal
Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge
(1785–1856)		28 September 18525 July 18563 years, 281 days[55]
7
Prince George, Duke of Cambridge
Duke of Cambridge, Prince GeorgeField Marshal
Prince George, Duke of Cambridge
(1819–1904)		5 July 18561 November 189539 years, 119 days[56]
8
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley
Wolseley, GarnetField Marshal
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley
(1833–1913)		1 November 18953 January 19015 years, 63 days[57]
9
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Roberts, FrederickField Marshal
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
(1832–1914)		3 January 190112 February 19043 years, 40 days[58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Lingard, John (1829). A History of England from the First Invasion by the Romans. Vol. XI. Baldwin and Cradock. p. 447.
  2. ^ a b c  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fairfax of Cameron, Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 131–132.
  3. ^ Gaunt 1996, p. 155
  4. ^ Journals of the House of Commons, volume eight. London: HM Stationery Office. 1813. p. 847.
  5. ^ Roberts, George (1844). The Life, Progresses and Rebellion of James, Duke of Monmouth. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans. p. 36.
  6. ^ a b c "John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5401. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  7. ^ a b "Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/24825. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  8. ^ a b c d e Roper, Michael (1998). The Records of the War Office and Related Departments, 1660-1964. Kew, Surrey: Public Record Office.
  9. ^ a b Raugh, Harold E. (2004). The Victorians at War, 1815-1914: an Encyclopaedia of British Military History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO Inc.
  10. ^ Forbes, Major-General A. (1929). A History of the Army Ordnance Service. Volume II: Modern History. London: The Medici Society. pp. 20–21.
  11. ^ Hughes, Matthew; Seligmann, Matthew (1990). Leadership in Conflict: 1914-1918. Barnsley, S. Yorks.: Leo Cooper. p. 249.
  12. ^ Unit History: Department of the Master-General of the Ordnance. Forces War Records
  13. ^ Board of Ordnance. Naval History Archive
  14. ^ THE HONORABLE THE BOARD OF ORDNANCE. 1299—1855, by J. H. Leslie. Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 4, No. 17 (JULY–SEPTEMBER, 1925). Society for Army Historical Research
  15. ^ Corps of Royal Engineers. National Army Museum
  16. ^ MILITIA BILL. House of Commons Debate 23 April 1852. Volume 120 cc1035-109. British Parliament website
  17. ^ THE MILITIA. House of Commons Debate 4 May 1855. Volume 138 cc116-32. British Parliament website
  18. ^ THE MILITIA—QUESTION. House of Lords Debate 11 July 1856. Volume 143 cc625-32. British Parliament website
  19. ^ ARMY—AUXILIARY FORCES—THE MILITIA.—OBSERVATIONS. House of Commons Debate 13 June 1878. Volume 240 cc1418-33. British Parliament website
  20. ^ AN IMPERIAL YEOMANRY RESERVE. House of Lords Debate 26 May 1903. Vol 122 cc1767-71. British Parliament website
  21. ^ A LIST OF THE OFFICERS of the ARMY, (WITH AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX;) OF THE OFFICERS of the ROYAL ARTILLERY, THE ENGINEERS, the MARINE FORCES, AND OF THE OFFICERS on HALF-PAY; AND A SUCCESSION of COLONELS. THE THIRTY-SECOND EDITION. War-Office. 31 March, 1784
  22. ^ THE NEW ANNUAL ARMY LIST, MILITIA LIST, 1854: (BEING THE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL VOLUME), CONTAINING THE DATES OF COMMISSIONS, AND A STATEMENT OF THE WAR SERVICES AND WOUNDS OF NEARLY EVERY OFFICER IN THE ARMY, ORDNANCE, AND MARINES. CORRECTED TO 30TH DECEMBER, 1853. WITH AN INDEX. MAJOR H. G. HART, 49TH REGT. JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON 1854
  23. ^ The Militia Artillery 1852-1909, by Norman EH Litchfield. The Sherwood Press (Nottingham) Ltd. 1987
  24. ^ Beckett, Ian Frederick William (2008). Territorials: A Century of Service. Plymouth: DRA Publishing. pp. 206–216. ISBN 9780955781315.
  25. ^ THE ARMY ESTIMATES. House of Commons Debate 15 March 1895. Vol 31 cc1157-209. British Parliament website
  26. ^ HART'S ANNUAL ARMY LIST, SPECIAL RESERVE LIST, AND TERRITORIAL FORCE LIST, FOR 1911: (BEING THE SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL VOLUME,) CONTAINING DATES OF COMMISSIONS, AND A SUMMARY OF THE WAR SERVICES OF NEARLY EVERY OFFICER IN THE ARMY, SUPPLY &c. DEPARTMENTS, MARINES, AND INDIAN ARMY, AND INDIAN LOCAL FORCES. WITH AN INDEX. BY THE LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL H. G. HART. JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON. 1911
  27. ^ THE TERRITORIAL FORCES ACT—THE MILITIA. House of Lords Debate 18 February 1908. Volume 184 cc578-605. British Parliament website
  28. ^ BRITISH ARMY.—HOME AND COLONIAL MILITARY FORCES. House of Commons Debate 9 April 1913. Volume 51 cc1196-8W. British Parliament website
  29. ^ The British Guiana Volunteer Force. Stabroek News. 1 October, 2008
  30. ^ "Batteries, Companies, Regiments and Corps (Land): Defending the colony, Colonial Forces Study Group (Queensland) Inc". Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  31. ^ History of The Coast Artillery in the British Army, by Colonel KW Maurice-Jones, DSO, RA. Royal Artillery Institution. 1959
  32. ^ The Militia Artillery 1852-1909, by Norman EH Litchfield. The Sherwood Press (Nottingham) Ltd. 1987
  33. ^ "Bermuda in 1914 The National Archives, Kew". Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  34. ^ The Quarterly Army List Part I, January 1945. Order of Precedence of the British Army. Page xiii. His Majesty's Stationery Office
  35. ^ ARMY ESTIMATES, 1899–1900. House of Commons Debate 17 March 1899. Vol 68 cc1161-287 British Parliament website
  36. ^ Hutton, Ronald (2004). "George Monk". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/18939. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  37. ^ "James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/24879. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  38. ^ "John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  39. ^ "No. 4948". The London Gazette. 3 January 1711. p. 1.
  40. ^ "John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7053. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  41. ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 286
  42. ^ Speck, W. A. (2004). "Prince William, Duke of Cumberland". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29455. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  43. ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 203
  44. ^ Sedgwick, Romney R. (1970). "LIGONIER, John Louis (1680-1770), of Cobham Place, Surr.". In Sedgwick, Romney (ed.). The House of Commons 1715–1754. The History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  45. ^ Massie, Alastair W. (2004). "John Manners, Marquess of Granby". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17958. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  46. ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 25
  47. ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 94
  48. ^ "Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/443. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  49. ^ Glover 1963, p. 128
  50. ^ "Sir David Dundas". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/8247. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  51. ^ "No. 16487". The London Gazette. 21 May 1811. p. 940.
  52. ^ "No. 18327". The London Gazette. 23 January 1827. p. 153.
  53. ^ "Rowland Hill". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/13298. Retrieved 21 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  54. ^ "No. 20130". The London Gazette. 16 August 1842. p. 2217.
  55. ^ "No. 21362". The London Gazette. 28 September 1852. p. 2573.
  56. ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 142
  57. ^ "No. 26676". The London Gazette. 1 November 1895. p. 5923.
  58. ^ "No. 27263". The London Gazette. 4 January 1901. p. 83.

Sources

[edit]
  • Gaunt, Peter (1996), Oliver Cromwell, Blackwell, ISBN 0-631-18356-6
  • Glover, Richard (1963). Peninsular Preparation: The Reform of the British Army 1795–1809. Cambridge University Press.
  • Heathcote, Tony (1999). The British Field Marshals 1736–1997. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-696-5.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commander-in-Chief_of_the_Forces&oldid=1239827575"