In the 21st-century British Army, captains are often appointed to be second-in-command (2IC)[1] of a company or equivalent sized unit of up to 120 soldiers.

[3] From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the Royal Air Force maintained the junior officer rank of captain.

The rank insignia were returned to the shoulder boards in 1880 for all officers in full dress, when the system of crowns and stars was reorganised.

In addition to the shoulder badges, officers' ranks were also reflected in the amount and pattern of gold lace worn on the cuffs of the full-dress tunic.

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.