British Army officer rank insignia

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.

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.

During the Napoleonic wars, field marshals wore oak-leaf embroidered collar and cuff; and shoulder cord instead of previous pattern.

In 1920 it was promulgated in Army Order 545 of 1920 to abolish the rank of Brigadier General and substitute in its place the ranks Colonel Commandant (commander of a brigade or training school) and Colonel-on-the-Staff (staff officer, usually appointed Directors, Deputy Director etc.

After difficulties arose for those who previously held the rank of brigadier-general; Earl Curzon stated that: "…British Military Attaches at foreign capitals who at present hold the rank of Brigadier-General…will lose precedence and prestige and will have to yield in both respects to foreign officers…".

The Secretary of State refused to make an exception for Military Attaches, on the advice of the Army Council.

In 1926 Formal consent by the King to substitute Colonel Commandant with Brigadier was given, however after further issues were raised, the matter was reopened and on reconsideration it was decided to abolish the title of Colonel-on-the-Staff also.

Accordingly, on 1 June 1928, the temporary rank of brigadier was reinstated, and the titles of Colonel Commandant and Colonel-on-the-Staff were abolished.

The Army Order stated,"Officers holding the temporary rank of brigadier will have precedence of, and command over all other colonels.

The following devices were introduced in the epaulettes: These badges were issued for all infantry regiments except the Foot Guards.

This practice was frowned on outside the trenches but was given official sanction in 1917 as an optional alternative, being made permanent in 1920, when the cuff badges were abolished.