Why "British Army"?

[Nil nos tremefacit]

I know where my commission came from, but I was really asking about those regiments that were raised and paid for by individuals and which took their name. Did the commission come from the King or did it come from Lord Lovat, for instance?

[Farmer 1]

They used to buy them, remember. No idea from whom, I'm afraid, but I think it was Balaclava that put an end to that system.

[ExGrunt]

From the "chap factory" web site

Until 1870, the usual way for an officer of the cavalry or infantry to obtain his commission was by purchase. A new candidate had to produce evidence of having had "the education of a gentleman", to obtain the approval of his regimental colonel, and to produce a substantial sum which was both proof of his standing in society and a bond for good behaviour. When a promotion vacancy occurred, the senior officer of the immediate lower rank in the same regiment had the first claim to be promoted, subject to being able to produce the as appropriate sum laid down by Parliament for the rank in question. Promotion to colonel and above was by seniority without purchase. Staff appointments, which carried promotion, were by selection, not purchase, but an officer reverted to his regimental (normally purchased) rank on expiry of tenure. When an officer left the Army, the price of his last commission was refunded, thus realising a large capital sum for investment elsewhere. The system was subject to abuse, as very rich men could pay their juniors not to take up their right to promotion, but had the advantage of allowing wealthy officers to obtain command of a regiment in their twenties, while at the peak of their fitness and energy. By contrast, in the Ordnance corps, where promotion was by seniority, it was common to find officers in their forties still serving as subalterns. The greatest weakness of the purchase system was its reliance on officers learning their duties by experience after appointment, rather than by training prior to it.

[alfred_the_great]

RN Sword carrying habits

Again, the mutiny "reason" for us not being able to carry our scabbards on our belts is not correct (although it does allow me to say that I'm not a Gentleman, merely an Officer in the Royal Navy!).

The reason why we carry our scabbards is that for a long time we never had a use for a scabbard save from stowing our sword under our pit (bed). In battle we began with swords drawn as scabbards would only get stuck in rigging etc if carried on our belt. Conversley Army Officers had to have their sword, and scabbard to hand at all times, especially when in the field, thus habitually wore their scabbards on their belt.

When it was decided that the RN had to carry sheathed swords (fnar fnar), to allow us to follow tradition the practice of parading with swords at the carry was adopted. It also had the added bonus of making us looks fools on parade as we step off without successfully carrying out the "sword flick".

Always happy to help....

Al

[Pierre Argh]

I was taught that the reason RN Officers carry their swords was as mark of royal displeasure after the Navy went ahead and hanged a man who had been given a Royal pardon.... nothing to do with mutiny. (there was usually a swifter method of punishing mutineers)... and the reason the RN don't stand for the loyal toast is becuase of the low deckheads (ceilings) onboard ship... I believe there's an Army regiment that doesn't stand either?

One day when the RAF have more than bad habits they too may have traditions like these?

[Michael Edic]

PA
What a witty and original joke. Please can someone tell it again?

[8ball]

Quote

I've often wondered why in Britain the navy is called the Royal Navy, and the air force is called the Royal Air Force, but the army is called the British Army.

The British Army is not called the British Army by the British.
It is called the Army. I know that does not answer the question of why it's not called the Royal Army but it ain't called the British Army either.

[pr00ne]

8ball,

Yes it is.

[Farmer 1]

Regular Army, actually.

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

Is it not:

Army - Be the Best

[Pierre Argh]

Michael Edic says

What a witty and original joke. Please can someone tell it again?

Ahhh, a joke, I see it, I thought it was a fact?
Seeing as how Michael asks though, Happy to oblige old chap...
"one day when the RAF have more than bad habits they too might have traditions like these"

[Bob Viking]

Argh Pierre.

I see you are a man of great intellect and humour. I see you are also an air tragicer.
Need I say more.
As for a lack of traditions, the RAF is still the oldest Air Force in the world so I think we're doing our best!
Lets not forget the RAF came into being about fifteen years after Orville and Wilbur first did their thing.
There had been boats for thousands of years before we got round to organising a Navy. I think that fact alone shows just how efficient and amazing we are.
BV

[dkh51250]

Quite easy really. Check out relevant ID cards. British Army on top of Army ID Royal Air Force on F1250. Because, there are lots of armies, but only one Royal Air Force.

[ZH875]

BATUS - British Army Training Unit Suffield.

Must be used by the British Army.

[mutleyfour]

Listen, you crabs can rag the Army as much as you like but remember

Your the ones that need the corporate identity at the moment.

RAF badges on combats just to remind you whom you work for..and those rucksack thingies......come on...we might not be the Royal Army but mere certainly a lot smarter than you shower of ????

[Roadster280]

Can't resist.

My own corps, the Royal Corps of Signals, was founded on 28 June 1920, and became Royal on 5th August 1920. The descendency goes back many decades before that with the Corps of Royal Engineers. This is some two years after the RAF, however:

I can't help thinking highly of the forward thinking of the Powers That Be in the Army (RFC) and the RN (RNAS) at the time. How else would they have come up with the idea of founding the RAF on April Fool's day 1918, other than to provide the opportunity to take the piss for centuries to come? Oh, I am so sorry, the RAF havent been around for a single century yet. Still, "USAF 50" must have given them something to smile about a few years back.

Really, we all bat for the same team. Actually, I am retired, but the spirit is there. Inter service rivalry is the stuff that tradition is built on. Hence the ability to look down on others. As long as we all continue to bat for the same team, I am all for it.

Long may it continue

Certa Cito

(All crabs and matelots are w***ers)

[16 blades]

The Army aren't 'Royal' because they fought against the Monarchy during the civil war. The Navy are not Gentlemen due to a decree from Queen Victoria (reason escapes me) which still stands to this day.

RAF officers are the only 'Royal' 'Gentlemen' in the UK Armed Forces.

RAF badges on combats

...just in case anyone confuses us with somebody who gives a sh1t.

Also, our toys are way cooler than yours. So blow me.



16B

[FJJP]

Mutley Four wrote

Listen, you crabs can rag the Army as much as you like but remember

Your the ones that need the corporate identity at the moment.

RAF badges on combats just to remind you whom you work for..and those rucksack thingies......come on...we might not be the Royal Army but mere certainly a lot smarter than you shower of ????

So smart that you are permitted to disregard the rules of grammar:

'remember' or 'remember:'...

'Your' or 'you're'...

'whom you work for' or 'who' or 'for whom you work'...

Great stuff this banter, eh? Lots of opportunities... Keeps one amused for hours on a quiet Sunday morning!

[althenick]

for a lack of traditions, the RAF is still the oldest Air Force in the world so I think we're doing our best!

Bob

Sorry to be pedantic but it isn't (By just under a month)

http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php?id=600

[Bob Viking]

althenick

Alright smart @rse.
I stand corrected, but you get the point.
BV