View source for Commander-in-Chief of the Forces

{{Short description|Professional head of the English and then British Army (1660–1904)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                     = Commander-in-Chief
| body                     = the Forces
| native_name              = 
| insignia                 = 
| insigniasize             = 
| insigniacaption          = 
| flag                     = 
| flagsize                 = 
| flagborder               = 
| flagcaption              = 
| image                    = George-cambridge-1819.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| alt                      = 
| imagecaption             = '''Longest serving<br/>[[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|FM]] [[Prince George, Duke of Cambridge]]'''<br/>5 July 1856 – 1 November 1895
| incumbentsince           = 
| department               = [[English Army]]<br/>[[British Army]]<br/>[[War Office]]
| style                    = 
| type                     = Senior-most [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]]
| status                   = 
| abbreviation             = C-in-C
| member_of                = 
| reports_to               = [[Secretary of State for War]]
| residence                = 
| seat                     = 
| nominator                = 
| appointer                = The [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch]]
| appointer_qualified      = 
| termlength               = No fixed term
| termlength_qualified     = 
| constituting_instrument  = 
| precursor                = 
| formation                = 1645<br/>January 1793
| first                    = [[Captain general#Great Britain|Captain General]] [[Thomas Fairfax|Sir Thomas Fairfax]]<br/>{{small|as General-in-Chief}}<br/>[[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|FM]] [[Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst|Jeffery Amherst, 1st Lord Amherst]]<br/>{{small|as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces}}
| last                     = [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|FM]] [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts]]
| abolished                = 12 February 1904
| succession               = [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]]
| unofficial_names         = 
| deputy                   = 
| salary                   = 
| website                  = 
}}

'''Commander-in-Chief of the Forces''', later '''Commander-in-Chief, British Army''', or just '''Commander-in-Chief''' ('''C-in-C'''), was (intermittently) the title of the professional head of the [[English Army]] from 1660 to 1707 (the English Army, founded in 1645, was succeeded in 1707 by the new British Army, incorporating existing Scottish regiments) and of the [[British Army]] from 1707 until 1904. The office was replaced in 1904 with the creation of the [[Army Council (1904)|Army Council]] and the title of [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]].

==Republican origins==
In earlier times, supreme command of the Army had been exercised by the monarch in person. In 1645, after the outbreak of the [[English Civil War]], [[Long Parliament|Parliament]] appointed [[Thomas Fairfax]] "Captain General and Commander-in-Chief of all the armies and forces raised and to be raised within the [[Commonwealth of England]]".<ref name=lingard>{{cite book|first=John|last=Lingard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZxXAAAAcAAJ&q=Commander-in-Chief+within+the+Commonwealth+of+England+fairfax&pg=PA447|title=A History of England from the First Invasion by the Romans|page=447|volume=XI|publisher=Baldwin and Cradock|year=1829}}</ref> Thomas Fairfax was the senior-most military officer, having no superior, and held great personal control over the army and its officers. Lord Fairfax was styled "Lord General". None of his successors would use this title. In 1650, Fairfax resigned his post, shortly before the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms|Scottish campaign]] of the War.<ref name=EB911Fairfax>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Fairfax of Cameron, Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron |volume=10 |pages=131–132}}</ref>

[[Oliver Cromwell]], Fairfax's [[Lieutenant-General]], succeeded him as Commander-in-chief of the Forces.<ref name=EB911Fairfax/> Under Cromwell, the Commander-in-Chief was ''de facto'' head of state, especially after the dismissal of the [[Long Parliament]]. Cromwell held the office until 1653, when he was elected [[Lord Protector]].<ref>{{harvnb|Gaunt|1996|p=155}}</ref>

On 21 February 1660, the reconstituted [[Long Parliament]] resolved "that General [[George Monck]] be constituted and appointed [[Captain-General#Great Britain|Captain-General]] and Commander in Chief, under Parliament, of all the Land-Forces of England, Scotland and Ireland".<ref>{{cite book|title=Journals of the House of Commons, volume eight|date=1813|publisher=HM Stationery Office|location=London|page=847}}</ref>

==Post-Restoration history==

After Monck's death, the post, which gave the holder significant military power, was abolished until [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth]] successfully petitioned [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] and was granted it in 1674.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Roberts|first1=George|title=The Life, Progresses and Rebellion of James, Duke of Monmouth|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeprogressesre02robeuoft|date=1844|publisher=Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans|location=London|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeprogressesre02robeuoft/page/36 36]}}</ref> After Monmouth's execution the post was again not filled until 1690, when it was bestowed upon [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough]], during the [[William III of England|King]]'s absence in Ireland.<ref name=marl/> It was likewise conferred on [[Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg|Meinhardt Schomberg, Duke of Schomberg]] the following year during the King's absence in [[Flanders]], Marlborough having fallen from favour.<ref name=schom/>

After 1660 it became rare for British sovereigns to lead their troops in battle (with the notable exception of [[William III of England|King William III]]); instead, it became normative for command (especially in time of war) to be delegated to an individual, who usually held the appointment of [[Captain General]] or Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.<ref name=Roper1998>{{cite book |last1=Roper |first1=Michael |title=The Records of the War Office and Related Departments, 1660-1964 |date=1998 |publisher=Public Record Office |location=Kew, Surrey }}</ref> (In early years these two titles were often used interchangeably, and/or the appointments were held concurrently). The office was not always filled: for example, [[James II of England|James II]] and William III both functioned themselves as Commander-in-Chief; at other times the appointment simply lapsed (especially if there was no perceived immediate military threat).<ref name="Roper1998" />

With the appointment of General [[Lord Amherst]] in 1793, the Commander-in-Chief was given authority over matters of discipline, over supplies, training and promotions in the British Army. The establishment of a [[military staff]] took place under the oversight of his successor, [[Frederick, Duke of York]].<ref name="Raugh04">{{cite book|last1=Raugh|first1=Harold E.|title=The Victorians at War, 1815-1914: an Encyclopaedia of British Military History.|date=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO Inc.|location=Santa Barbara, California}}</ref>

In most instances, Commanders-in-Chief of the Forces were not [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]] members (only [[Henry Seymour Conway|Conway]] and [[Duke of Wellington|Wellington]] had a seat in Cabinet by virtue of holding this office; [[John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier|Ligonier]] and [[John Manners, Marquess of Granby|Granby]] were also in Cabinet during their time in office, but in both cases sat as [[Master-General of the Ordnance]]).<ref name="Roper1998" /> Instead, the British Army was represented variously and tenuously in government by the [[Paymaster of the Forces]] ([[Paymaster General]] from 1836), the [[Master-General of the Ordnance]] (who did not invariably have a seat in Cabinet), the [[Secretary at War]] (who was not usually a member of the Cabinet) and (from 1794) the [[Secretary of State for War]].<ref name="Roper1998" />

With the demise of the [[Board of Ordnance]] in the wake of the [[Crimean War]] the Commander-in-Chief assumed command of the Ordnance troops: the [[Royal Regiment of Artillery]] and the [[Corps of Royal Engineers]]. The momentum of reform at this time, however, was toward increasing the authority of the [[Secretary of State for War]]. From the passing of the [[War Office Act 1870]], as part of the [[Cardwell Reforms]], the Commander-in-Chief was made clearly subordinate to the Secretary of State, to serve as the latter's principal military adviser, and was made to move out of his traditional office above the arch at [[Horse Guards (building)|Horse Guards]] and into the [[War Office]]. Nevertheless, in 1888 he is still described as having responsibility for all personnel and [[matériel]] issues for the army and auxiliary forces, and in 1895 he took on the responsibilities of [[chief of staff]].<ref name="Raugh04" />

The appointment of Commander-in-Chief remained in the personal gift of the monarch, and its independence was guarded by [[Queen Victoria]] (among others) as emblematic of the notion that command of the Army was vested in [[the Crown]]; during her reign, however, the office was (in 1870) made much more clearly subordinate to the [[Secretary of State for War]] (and to Parliament).<ref name="Forbes1929">{{cite book |last1=Forbes |first1=Major-General A. |title=A History of the Army Ordnance Service. Volume II: Modern History |date=1929 |publisher=The Medici Society |location=London |pages=20–21}}</ref>

Following the recommendations of the [[Esher Report]], the office was replaced in 1904 with the creation of the [[Army Council (1904)|Army Council]] and the appointment of [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]]. The title reverted to the monarch, who remains (titular) "[[Commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces]]".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hughes |first1=Matthew |last2=Seligmann |first2=Matthew |title=Leadership in Conflict: 1914-1918 |date=1990 |publisher=Leo Cooper |location=Barnsley, S. Yorks. |page=249}}</ref>

{{Professional heads of the British Armed Forces}}

==The Forces==
The British military (ie., that part of the armed forces committed to land warfare, and not to be confused with the naval forces) was originally made up of several [[Units of the British Army#British Army units in other areas of the British Armed Forces|forces]], including the British Army, the others being: the Ordnance Military Corps of the [[Board of Ordnance]] (including the [[Royal Artillery]], [[Royal Engineers]], and [[Royal Sappers and Miners]]), being a professional, or ''regular'' force like the army);<ref>[https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/3224/department-of-the-master-general-of-the-ordnance ''Unit History: Department of the Master-General of the Ordnance''. Forces War Records]</ref><ref>[https://www.navalhistoryarchive.org/index.php/Board_of_Ordnance ''Board of Ordnance''. Naval History Archive]{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44220102?seq=1 ''THE HONORABLE THE BOARD OF ORDNANCE. 1299—1855'', by J. H. Leslie. Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 4, No. 17 (JULY–SEPTEMBER, 1925). Society for Army Historical Research]</ref><ref>[https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/corps-royal-engineers ''Corps of Royal Engineers''. National Army Museum]</ref> the [[Militia (Great Britain)|Militia Force]] (or ''Constitutional Force''),<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1852/apr/23/militia-bill ''MILITIA BILL''. House of Commons Debate 23 April 1852. Volume 120 cc1035-109. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1855/may/04/the-militia ''THE MILITIA''. House of Commons Debate 4 May 1855. Volume 138 cc116-32. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1856/jul/11/the-militia-question ''THE MILITIA—QUESTION''. House of Lords Debate 11 July 1856. Volume 143 cc625-32. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1878/jun/13/army-auxiliary-forces-the-militia ''ARMY—AUXILIARY FORCES—THE MILITIA.—OBSERVATIONS''. House of Commons Debate 13 June 1878. Volume 240 cc1418-33. British Parliament website]</ref> being a conscripted reserve infantry force able to be called out in times of emergency for home defence; the [[Yeomanry]],<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1903/may/26/an-imperial-yeomanry-reserve ''AN IMPERIAL YEOMANRY RESERVE''. House of Lords Debate 26 May 1903. Vol 122 cc1767-71. British Parliament website]</ref> being a similar mounted force; and the [[British Volunteer Corps|Volunteer Corps]], made up of voluntary reserve units that normally only existed during wartime.<ref>''A LIST OF THE OFFICERS of the ARMY, (WITH AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX;) OF THE OFFICERS of the ROYAL ARTILLERY, THE ENGINEERS, the MARINE FORCES, AND OF THE OFFICERS on HALF-PAY; AND A SUCCESSION of COLONELS. THE THIRTY-SECOND EDITION.'' War-Office. 31 March, 1784</ref><ref>''THE NEW ANNUAL ARMY LIST, MILITIA LIST, 1854: (BEING THE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL VOLUME), CONTAINING THE DATES OF COMMISSIONS, AND A STATEMENT OF THE WAR SERVICES AND WOUNDS OF NEARLY EVERY OFFICER IN THE ARMY, ORDNANCE, AND MARINES. CORRECTED TO 30TH DECEMBER, 1853. WITH AN INDEX''. MAJOR H. G. HART, 49TH REGT. JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON 1854</ref>  The Board of Ordnance was abolished in 1855 and its military corps, [[Commissariat#19th century|commissariat stores]], transport, barracks and other departments were absorbed into the British Army, which was also called ''Regular Force'' or ''Regular Army''). The ''Reserve Forces'' were also known as the ''Auxiliary Forces'' and the ''Local Forces'' (as their personnel could not originally be compelled to serve outside their local areas), and were re-organised in the 1850s with the Militia becoming voluntary (but with recruits engaging for a period of service that they were obliged to complete),<ref>''The Militia Artillery 1852-1909'', by Norman EH Litchfield. The Sherwood Press (Nottingham) Ltd. 1987</ref> and the [[Volunteer Force]] permanently established. These forces were increasingly integrated with the British Army during the final decades of the Nineteenth Century and the first decades of the Twentieth Century. The Yeomanry and Volunteer Force became the [[Territorial Force]] in 1908, and the Militia became the Special Reserve (and ceased to exist after the First World War).<ref>{{cite book| last=Beckett| first=Ian Frederick William| title=Territorials: A Century of Service| publisher= DRA Publishing| location=Plymouth| year= 2008| isbn=9780955781315|pages=206-216}}</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1895/mar/15/the-army-estimates ''THE ARMY ESTIMATES''. House of Commons Debate 15 March 1895. Vol 31 cc1157-209. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>''HART'S ANNUAL ARMY LIST, SPECIAL RESERVE LIST, AND TERRITORIAL FORCE LIST, FOR 1911: (BEING THE SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL VOLUME,) CONTAINING DATES OF COMMISSIONS, AND A SUMMARY OF THE WAR SERVICES OF NEARLY EVERY OFFICER IN THE ARMY, SUPPLY &c. DEPARTMENTS, MARINES, AND INDIAN ARMY, AND INDIAN LOCAL FORCES. WITH AN INDEX.'' BY THE LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL H. G. HART. JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON. 1911</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1908/feb/18/the-territorial-forces-act-the-militia ''THE TERRITORIAL FORCES ACT—THE MILITIA''. House of Lords Debate 18 February 1908. Volume 184 cc578-605. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1913/apr/09/british-army-home-and-colonial-military ''BRITISH ARMY.—HOME AND COLONIAL MILITARY FORCES''. House of Commons Debate 9 April 1913. Volume 51 cc1196-8W. British Parliament website]</ref><ref>[https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/10/01/guyana-review/the-british-guiana-volunteer-force ''The British Guiana Volunteer Force''. Stabroek News. 1 October, 2008]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.colonialforces.org/batteries-companies-regiments-and-c |title=''Batteries, Companies, Regiments and Corps (Land): Defending the colony'', Colonial Forces Study Group (Queensland) Inc |access-date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127130254/https://www.colonialforces.org/batteries-companies-regiments-and-c |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>''History of The Coast Artillery in the British Army'', by Colonel KW Maurice-Jones, DSO, RA. Royal Artillery Institution. 1959</ref><ref>''The Militia Artillery 1852-1909'', by Norman EH Litchfield. The Sherwood Press (Nottingham) Ltd. 1987</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://livelb.nationalarchives.gov.uk/first-world-war/a-global-view/the-caribbean/bermuda |title=''Bermuda in 1914'' The National Archives, Kew |access-date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617014624/https://livelb.nationalarchives.gov.uk/first-world-war/a-global-view/the-caribbean/bermuda/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>''The Quarterly Army List''  Part I, January 1945. Order of Precedence of the British Army. Page xiii. His Majesty's Stationery Office</ref><ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1899/mar/17/army-estimates-1899-1900#division_48 ''ARMY ESTIMATES, 1899–1900''. House of Commons Debate 17 March 1899. Vol 68 cc1161-287 British Parliament website]</ref>

==Appointees==
The following table lists all those who have held the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Forces or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure:
<br/>† denotes people who died in office.
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Name
| showtermlenght     = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
| showref            = y
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
! colspan=7| Parliamentary General-in-Chief Command
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = General Thomas Fairfax (1612-1671) by Robert Walker and studio.jpg
| military_rank     = [[Captain general#Great Britain|Captain General]]
| officeholder      = [[Thomas Fairfax|Sir Thomas Fairfax]]
| officeholder_sort = Fairfax, Thomas
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1612
| died_year         = 1671
| term_start        = 1645
| term_end          = 1650
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1645|1650}} years
| ref               = <ref name=lingard/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper.jpg
| military_rank     = Captain General
| officeholder      = [[Oliver Cromwell]]
| officeholder_sort = Cromwell, Oliver
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1599
| died_year         = 1658
| term_start        = 1650
| term_end          = 1653
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1650|1653}} years
| ref               = <ref name=EB911Fairfax/>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
! colspan=7| General-in-Chief Command
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Peter Lely (1618-1680) - General George Monck (1608–1670), 1st Duke of Albemarle, Soldier and Statesman - PG 900 - National Galleries of Scotland.jpg
| military_rank     = Captain General
| officeholder      = [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]
| officeholder_sort = Monck, George
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1608
| died_year         = 1670
| died              = y
| term_start        = 3 August 1660
| term_end          = 3 January 1670
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1660|08|03|1670|01|03}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/18939?docPos=1|title=George Monk| access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/18939|year=2004|last1=Hutton|first1=Ronald}}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(3 January 1670 – 30 March 1674)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch by William Wissing.jpg
| military_rank     = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
| officeholder      = [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth]]
| officeholder_sort = Scott, James
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1649
| died_year         = 1685
| term_start        = 30 March 1674
| term_end          = 1 December 1679
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1674|03|30|1679|12|01}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/24879?docPos=1|title=James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth|access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/24879|year=2004}}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(1 December 1679 – 3 June 1690)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Captain-General of the English forces and Master-General of the Ordnance, 1702 (c), attributed to Michael Dahl 91996.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough]]
| officeholder_sort = Churchill, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1650
| died_year         = 1722
| term_start        = 3 June 1690
| term_end          = 30 April 1691
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1690|06|03|1691|04|30}}
| ref               = <ref name=marl>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/5401?docPos=2 |title= John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|access-date=21 January 2014|doi= 10.1093/ref:odnb/5401|year= 2004}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = John Baptist de Medina (1659-1710) (attributed to) - Meinhard Schomberg (1641–1719), Duke of Leinster and 3rd Duke of Schomberg - 1220970 - National Trust.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg]]
| officeholder_sort = Schomberg, Meinhardt
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1641
| died_year         = 1719
| term_start        = 30 April 1691
| term_end          = 1691
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1691|1691}} years
| ref               = <ref name=schom>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/24825?docPos=9 |title=Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg|access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/24825|year=2004}}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(1691 – 24 April 1702)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (3)
| image             = John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Captain-General of the English forces and Master-General of the Ordnance, 1702 (c), attributed to Michael Dahl 91996.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough]]
| officeholder_sort = Churchill, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1650
| died_year         = 1722
| term_start        = 24 April 1702
| term_end          = 1711
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1702|1711}} years
| ref               = <ref name=marl/><ref name="MarlboroughEB">{{cite web |title=John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Churchill-1st-duke-of-Marlborough |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=18 December 2019}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde by Michael Dahl.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde]]
| officeholder_sort = Butler, James
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1665
| died_year         = 1745
| term_start        = 1 January 1711
| term_end          = 1714
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1711|1714}} years
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=4948|page=1|date=3 January 1711}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (3)
| image             = John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Captain-General of the English forces and Master-General of the Ordnance, 1702 (c), attributed to Michael Dahl 91996.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough]]
| officeholder_sort = Churchill, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1650
| died_year         = 1722
| term_start        = 1714
| term_end          = 1722
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1714|1722}} years
| ref               = <ref name="Roper1998" />
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(1714 – 1 January 1744)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = John Dalrymple 2nd Earl of Stair (1673-1747) General and Diplomat.jpg
| military_rank     = [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]]
| officeholder      = [[John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair]]
| officeholder_sort = Dalrymple, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1673
| died_year         = 1747
| term_start        = 1 January 1744
| term_end          = 1744
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1744|1744}} years
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/7053?docPos=3 |title=John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair|access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/7053|year=2004}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = Attributed to Johan van Diest - Field-Marshal George Wade, 1673 - 1748. Commander-in-chief in Scotland - Google Art Project.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[George Wade]]
| officeholder_sort = Wade, George
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1673
| died_year         = 1748
| term_start        = 1744
| term_end          = 1745
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1744|1745}} years
| ref               = <ref>{{harvnb|Heathcote|1999|p=286}}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(1745 – 1745)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland by Sir Joshua Reynolds.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Prince William, Duke of Cumberland]]
| officeholder_sort = Duke of Cumberland, Prince William
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1721
| died_year         = 1765
| term_start        = 1745
| term_end          = 24 October 1757
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1745|1757}} years
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29455|title=Prince William, Duke of Cumberland|access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/29455|year=2004|last1=Speck|first1=W. A.}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = 1st Earl Ligonier.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier]]
| officeholder_sort = Ligonier, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1680
| died_year         = 1770
| term_start        = 24 October 1757
| term_end          = 1766
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1757|1766}} years
| ref               = <ref>{{harvnb|Heathcote|1999|p=203}}</ref><ref>{{HistoryofParliament|1715|url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1715-1754/member/ligonier-john-louis-1680-1770|title=LIGONIER, John Louis (1680-1770), of Cobham Place, Surr.|last=Sedgwick|first=Romney R.|author-link=Romney Sedgwick|access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = Portrait of the Marquess of Granby.jpg
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]]
| officeholder      = [[John Manners, Marquess of Granby]]
| officeholder_sort = Manners, John
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1721
| died_year         = 1770
| term_start        = 13 August 1766
| term_end          = 17 January 1770
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1766|08|13|1770|01|17}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/17958?docPos=4 |title=John Manners, Marquess of Granby |access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/17958 |year=2004 |last1=Massie |first1=Alastair W. }}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7| ''Position vacant''<br />(17 January 1770 – 19 March 1778)
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| image             = Amherst.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst]]
| officeholder_sort = Amherst, Jeffrey
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1717
| died_year         = 1797
| term_start        = 19 March 1778
| term_end          = 29 March 1782
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1778|03|19|1782|03|29}}
| ref               = <ref>{{harvnb|Heathcote|1999|p=25}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| image             = Henryseymour.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Henry Seymour Conway]]
| officeholder_sort = Conway, Henry
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1721
| died_year         = 1795
| term_start        = 29 March 1782
| term_end          = 21 January 1793
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1782|03|29|1793|01|21}}
| ref               = <ref>{{harvnb|Heathcote|1999|p=94}}</ref>
}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
! colspan=7| Commander-in-Chief
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Amherst.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst|Jeffery Amherst, 1st Lord Amherst]]
| officeholder_sort = Amherst, Jeffrey
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1717
| died_year         = 1797
| term_start        = January 1793
| term_end          = February 1795
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1793|01|01|1795|02|01}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/443|title=Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst| access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/443|year=2004}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Frederick, Duke of York 1800-1820.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany|Prince Frederick, Duke of York]]
| officeholder_sort = Duke of York, Prince Frederick
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1763
| died_year         = 1827
| term_start        = 3 April 1795
| term_end          = 25 March 1809
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1795|04|03|1809|03|25}}
| ref               = <ref name="p.128, Glover">{{harvnb|Glover|1963|p=128}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = Samuel Drummond (1765-1844) - Sir David Dundas (1735–1820), General - PG 1281 - National Galleries of Scotland.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[David Dundas (British Army officer)|Sir David Dundas]]
| officeholder_sort = Dundas, David
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1735
| died_year         = 1820
| term_start        = 18 March 1809
| term_end          = 26 May 1811
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1809|03|18|1811|05|26}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/8247?docPos=1 |title=Sir David Dundas | access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/8247 |year=2004 }}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (2)
| image             = Frederick, Duke of York 1800-1820.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany|Prince Frederick, Duke of York]]
| officeholder_sort = Duke of York, Prince Frederick
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1763
| died_year         = 1827
| died              = y
| term_start        = 29 May 1811
| term_end          = 5 January 1827
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1811|05|29|1827|01|05}}
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16487|page=940|date=21 May 1811}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.png
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]]
| officeholder_sort = Wellesley, Arthur
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1769
| died_year         = 1852
| term_start        = 22 January 1827
| term_end          = 22 January 1828
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1827|01|22|1828|01|22}} year
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=18327|page=153|date=23 January 1827}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill by William Salter.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill|Rowland Hill, 1st Lord Hill]]
| officeholder_sort = Hill, Rowland
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1772
| died_year         = 1842
| term_start        = 22 January 1828
| term_end          = 15 August 1842
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1828|01|22|1842|08|15}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/13298?docPos=3 |title=Rowland Hill | access-date=21 January 2014|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/13298 |year=2004 }}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (4)
| image             = Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.png
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]]
| officeholder_sort = Wellesley, Arthur
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1769
| died_year         = 1852
| died              = y
| term_start        = 15 August 1842
| term_end          = 14 September 1852
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1842|08|15|1852|09|14}}
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=20130|page=2217|date=16 August 1842}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = Henryhardinge.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge]]
| officeholder_sort = Hardinge, Henry
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1785
| died_year         = 1856
| term_start        = 28 September 1852
| term_end          = 5 July 1856
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1852|09|28|1856|07|05}}
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=21362|page=2573|date=28 September 1852}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = George-cambridge-1819.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Prince George, Duke of Cambridge]]
| officeholder_sort = Duke of Cambridge, Prince George
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1819
| died_year         = 1904
| term_start        = 5 July 1856
| term_end          = 1 November 1895
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1856|07|05|1895|11|01}}
| ref               = <ref>{{harvnb|Heathcote|1999|p=142}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = Garnet Wolseley.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley]]
| officeholder_sort = Wolseley, Garnet
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1833
| died_year         = 1913
| term_start        = 1 November 1895
| term_end          = 3 January 1901
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1895|11|01|1901|01|03}}
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26676|page=5923|date=1 November 1895}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = General Lord Roberts AKA "Bobs" (25136980491).jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts]]
| officeholder_sort = Roberts, Frederick
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1832
| died_year         = 1914
| term_start        = 3 January 1901
| term_end          = 12 February 1904
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1901|01|03|1904|02|12}}
| ref               = <ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27263|page=83|date=4 January 1901}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{citation |last=Gaunt |first=Peter |year=1996 |title=Oliver Cromwell |publisher=Blackwell |isbn=0-631-18356-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Glover|first=Richard|title=Peninsular Preparation: The Reform of the British Army 1795–1809|publisher= Cambridge University Press |year=1963}}
*{{cite book |last=Heathcote |first= Tony| title =The British Field Marshals 1736–1997  | publisher =Pen & Sword Books Ltd | year = 1999|isbn=0-85052-696-5}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427004142/http://www.regiments.org/biography/defchiefs/ukCinC.htm Regiments.org]
* [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1697125 Everything]

{{Chief of the General Staff}}
{{The British Army}}

[[Category:1645 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1904 disestablishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Senior appointments of the British Army]]
[[Category:British military commanders in chief]]

[[pl:Naczelni dowódcy British Army]]