Major (United Kingdom)

Major (United Kingdom)
UK-Army-OF3.gif
Please see "Major" for other countries which use this rank

In the British military, major is a military rank which is used by both the British Army and Royal Marines. The rank insignia for a major is a crown. The equivalent rank in the Royal Navy is Lieutenant-Commander, and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force.

By the time of the Napoleonic wars, an infantry battalion usually had two majors, designated the "senior major" and the "junior major". The senior major effectively acted as second-in-command and the majors often commanded detachments of two or more companies split from the main body. The second-in-command of a battalion or regiment is still a major.

During World War I, majors wore the following cuff badges:

During World War I, some officers took to wearing similar jackets to the men, with the rank badges on the shoulder, as the cuff badges made them conspicuous to snipers. This practice was frowned on outside the trenches but was given official sanction in 1917 as an alternative, being made permanent in 1920 when the cuff badges were abolished.

From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the Royal Air Force maintained the rank of major. It was superseded by the rank of squadron leader on the following day.

By World War I, majors were often commanding independent companies, squadrons and batteries, but those that were organically part of a regiment or battalion were still usually commanded by captains. After World War II, major became the usual rank held by Officers Commanding all companies, squadrons and batteries, and remains so today.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • United Kingdom general election, 2010 — United Kingdom general election, 2010[1] 2005 ← members …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — ➡ United Kingdom * * * or United Kingdom or Great Britain Country, western Europe, comprising Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland …   Universalium

  • United Kingdom Climate Change Programme — United Kingdom energy related articles Government energy policy Energy use and conservation Nuclear power Solar power Wind power Energy efficiency in housing …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom general election, 1983 — 1979 ← members 9 June 1983 Members elected →  …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom agency worker law — refers to the law which regulates people s work through employment agencies in the United Kingdom. Though statistics are disputed, there are currently between half a million and one and a half million agency workers in the UK, and probably over… …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom — a kingdom in NW Europe, consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: formerly comprising Great Britain and Ireland 1801 1922. 58,610,182; 94,242 sq. mi. (244,100 sq. km). Cap.: London. Abbr.: U.K. Official name, United Kingdom of Great… …   Universalium

  • United Kingdom — Infobox Country conventional long name = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland common name = the United Kingdom symbol type = Royal coat of arms map caption = map caption |countryprefix=the |region=on the European continent… …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal — See also: Salaries of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament and List of expenses claims in the United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal The Palace of Westminster The United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal was a major political …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom general election, 1992 — Infobox Election election name = United Kingdom general election, 1992 country = United Kingdom type = parliamentary ongoing = no previous election = United Kingdom general election, 1987 previous year = 1987 previous mps = MPs elected in the… …   Wikipedia

  • United Kingdom general election, 1997 — Infobox Election election name = United Kingdom general election, 1997 country = United Kingdom type = parliamentary ongoing = no previous election = United Kingdom general election, 1992 previous year = 1992 previous mps = MPs elected in the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”