Field marshal (United Kingdom)

Field marshal (United Kingdom)
Name	Field Marshal
Caption	The crown and crossed batons of a field marshal's rank insignia.
Country	United Kingdom
Service branch	British Army, Royal Marines
Abbreviation	FM
Rank	Five-star
Nato rank	OF-10
Formation	1736
Higher rank	Captain general
Lower rank	General
Equivalent ranks	Admiral of the Fleet, Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Field marshal (United Kingdom). Field marshal is the highest attainable rank in the British Army and a ceremonial five-star rank with NATO code OF-10. The rank has been awarded since the 18th century, typically for distinguished service in high command during major wars or to honour senior members of the British royal family. A field marshal's insignia is the royal crown above a crossed baton and sword within a wreath, and holders are entitled to a lifelong salary and precedence before all other army officers except the sovereign.

History

The rank of field marshal was formally introduced into the British Army by King George II in 1736. Its creation was influenced by European military traditions, particularly those of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire. The first appointment was to John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair, a veteran of the War of the Spanish Succession. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the rank was often granted to senior commanders following major victories, such as after the Battle of Waterloo and during the Crimean War. The rank's prominence grew during the First and Second World Wars, when numerous commanders were promoted for service in theatres like the Western Front, the North African campaign, and the Burma campaign.

Rank insignia and uniform

The rank insignia for a field marshal consists of a crown over two crossed batons within a wreath of oak leaves, worn on the epaulettes or shoulder boards. The sword worn is the Mameluke sword, a privilege shared with general officers. The uniform includes distinctive red trousers and a hat with abundant ostrich feather plumes for ceremonial occasions. The baton, a symbol of authority, is often a richly decorated personal item presented upon promotion; a famous example is the baton of Field Marshal Montgomery, displayed at the Imperial War Museum.

Appointment and promotion

Appointment to field marshal is made by the sovereign on the advice of the prime minister and the Secretary of State for Defence. Historically, promotion was based on exemplary service in high command during wartime, such as during the Napoleonic Wars or the Second Boer War. In peacetime, the rank was often conferred on senior members of the British royal family, like Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and on retiring Chiefs of the General Staff. A notable non-royal, non-British appointment was that of Sir Thomas Blamey, the Australian commander during the Kokoda Track campaign.

Duties and privileges

As a five-star rank, field marshal is theoretically an active rank, but in modern practice it is largely ceremonial. Duties have historically included strategic oversight of the entire British Army, as exercised by figures like the Duke of Wellington after Waterloo. Privileges include the right to a personal aide-de-camp, a lifelong annual salary, and the title "field marshal" remaining for life. They are also entitled to a funeral with full military honours, as seen with the state funeral for the Duke of Wellington at St Paul's Cathedral.

Notable field marshals

Notable holders of the rank include Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the victor of the Battle of Waterloo and later Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, commander during the Battle of the Somme; and Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, a key Allied commander at the Second Battle of El Alamein. Twentieth-century appointees also include Earl Haig's predecessor, Sir John French, and Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II. Royal field marshals have included George VI and Elizabeth II.

Ranks and precedence

Field marshal is the highest rank in the British Army, equivalent to Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the Royal Air Force. Within the order of precedence in England and Wales, a field marshal takes precedence immediately after royal dukes and before all other military officers and Privy Counsellors. The rank is senior to a general and all other general officer ranks. The honorary title of Captain general of the Royal Artillery or other corps is sometimes held by a field marshal.

Category:Military ranks of the British Army Category:Field marshals of the United Kingdom Category:Five-star officers