Army traditions

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Household Cavalry

The Household Cavalry has no sergeants in its ranks. This is because Queen Victoria, on discovering that the derivation of the rank sergeant was servant, and that corporal meant something closer to chaperone (I will check as this differs from my etymology but was provided by a serving member of the Regiment) she decreed that she would not be attended by the former. Hence the following non-standard ranks and appointments:

  • Regimental Corporal Major - Regimental Sergeant Major (WO1)
  • Farrier Corporal Major (WO1)
  • Regimental Quartermaster Corporal (RQMC) - Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (WO2)
  • Squadron Corporal Major (SCM) - Squadron Sergeant Major (WO2)
  • Staff Corporal (SCpl, S/Cpl) - Staff Sergeant
  • Squadron Quartermaster Corporal (SQMC) - Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant
  • Corporal of the Horse (CoH) - Sergeant
  • Lance Corporal of the Horse (LCoH) - Corporal (appointment)
  • Lance Corporal (LCpl)

Non-commissioned officers and warrant officers of the Household Cavalry do not wear rank insignia on their full dress uniforms (although officers do). Rank is indicated by a system of aiguillettes.

Guards Division

The Guards Division are the opposite of Household Cavalry in that they have no corporals in their rank structure. Again this dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria.

  • Gold Sergeant - Sergeant - wears three gold chevrons
  • Lance Sergeant - Corporal - wears three chevrons (an appointment)
  • Lance Corporal - wears two chevrons (Queen Victoria stated that her Guards would not wear only one chevron when mounting guard outside the Royal Palace)
  • Ensign - Second Lieutenant

Private soldiers

Private soldiers in various regiments/corps are referred to as follows:

  • Air Trooper (Army Air Corps)
  • Fusilier (Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Royal Welch Fusiliers)
  • Gunner (Royal Artillery)
  • Guardsman (Brigade of Guards)
  • Highlander (The Highlanders)
  • Marine (Royal Marines)
  • Ranger (RIR)
  • Rifleman (RGJ and RGR)
  • Trooper (Royal Armoured Corps, SAS, Parachute Regiment)
  • Signalman (Royal Corps of Signals)
  • Sapper (Royal Engineers)
  • Craftsman (REME)
  • Kingsman (King's Regiment)
  • Musician (Corps of Army Music) : Bugler, Trumpeter, Piper, Drummer as appropriate