Q&A · 2:41:46-2:42:00

What did a full colonel rank mean in the militia?

A full colonelcy signaled authority above the lieutenant colonels who normally commanded individual local militia regiments.

British Army John Campbell Baron Cawdor Military Ranks Militia

Watch at this time Full video guide

Question

Was colonel a normal rank in the militia?

Short answer

Lieutenant colonels more commonly commanded individual regiments; a full colonel could exercise authority across several local regiments.

Notes

Lieutenant colonels normally commanded individual militia regiments. A full colonel could exercise authority across several local formations. Cawdor's promotion after Fishguard therefore formalized a wider command than that of a single regiment.