Cornet (rank)

The rank of field cornet (veldkornet) was used for the senior officer of a ward or sub-district in the independent republican states of the Transvaal and Oranje-Vrystaat in late 19th century South Africa.

[8] The rank was reminiscent of the Dutch use in cavalry troops that the commandos most closely resembled.

[10] Cornet was originally the lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, the modern equivalent being a second lieutenant.

Among famous cornets in that conflict were George Joyce, Robert Stetson, and Ninian Beall.

[13] It was abolished along with the purchase of commissions in the Army Reform Act of 1871, replaced by second lieutenant.

Cornet Henry John Wilkin, full-length portrait, wearing uniform, seated on a horse, a bell tent in the background.
Winston Churchill while serving as a cornet in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars (1895). Churchill's formal rank was second lieutenant . [ 11 ]