British Army officer rank insignia

Listed in the table below are the insignia—emblems of authority—of the British Army. Badges for field officers were first introduced in 1810 and the insignia was moved to the epaulettes in 1880. On ceremonial or parade uniforms these ranks continue to be worn on the epaulettes, either as cloth slides or as metal clips, although on the modern 'working dress' (daily uniform) they are usually worn as a cloth slide on the chest. Although these insignia apply across the British Army there is variation in the precise design and colours used and it can take some time to become familiar with them all. Officers in the ranks of lieutenant and second lieutenant are often referred to as subalterns and these and captains are also referred to as company officers. Brigadiers, colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors are field officers. All above these are considered to be of general officer rank. The rank of Field Marshal has become an honorary/ceremonial rank; the last active officer to be promoted to the rank was in 2014. Before 1767, there were no definite badges for Field Marshals and general officers. In 1767, the British Army issued an order to distinguish Field Marshals (once the rank was established in 1813) and different graded General officers by the combination of chevron-shaped ess pattern laces on the sleeve. Field Marshal: Evenly spaced six laces. General: Evenly spaced four laces. Lieutenant General: Six laces in threes. Major General: Four laces in twos. Brigadier General: Three laces. Upper twos were in pair. During the Napoleonic wars, field marshals wore oak-leaf embroidered collar and cuff; and shoulder cord instead of previous pattern. It was continued until the end of 1830. At the beginning of 1831, new rank distinction was ordered for field marshals and general officers. Field Marshal: Cross baton and wreath designed device was on epaulettes and buttons were evenly spaced . General: Cross baton and sword with crown designed device on the epaulettes and buttons were evenly spaced.