All stories require some form of research, quite often to place a character in a place at a particular time, especially if it is in a historical context. This series will take you through what it was like in 1914 through 1916.

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What was the path an aristocratic son had to follow to become a commissioned officer in the armed services?

After the abolition of the purchase system in 1871, the path for an aristocratic son to become a commissioned officer still heavily favoured his social standing, despite being based officially on merit and examination. For the army, this typically involved attending elite public schools and then the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. For the Royal Navy, it meant entering training at a young age. 

The path to a commission in the British Army

1. Elite education at a public school:

• Preparatory training: A military career was often decided early, with many boys attending elite public schools like  Eton ,  Harrow , or  Radley
• Officer Training Corps (OTC): From the age of 13, public schools would operate Officers’ Training Corps units that groomed students specifically for military leadership.
• “Character” over academics: While academic standards were needed for entry, the emphasis was placed on developing the “right character,” reinforcing the idea that officers came from a specific class. 

2. Entry into a military college:

• Sandhurst: Most aspiring infantry and cavalry officers would attend the 

Royal Military College (RMC) at Sandhurst

. Entry was competitive and primarily based on entrance examinations.

• Woolwich: Those seeking commissions in the Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery—branches that never had a purchase system due to their specialised nature—had to graduate from the  Royal Military Academy at Woolwich

. 

3. Choosing a regiment and affording the lifestyle:

• Social connections: Regimental officers retained the right to vet potential candidates, and social connections helped ensure entry into a prestigious unit, particularly the Guards or Household Cavalry.
• Extracurricular costs: While the commission was no longer purchased, aristocratic officers were expected to maintain an expensive lifestyle. This included high mess bills and funding for activities like polo, which were far beyond the means of lower-class men.
• Financial support: Despite a junior officer’s pay being modest, aristocratic families could afford to subsidise their sons, making it possible to serve in the most expensive regiments. 

The path to a commission in the Royal Navy

Unlike the army, the Royal Navy did not use the purchase system and was theoretically more meritocratic. However, patronage and wealth still played a significant role. 

1. Entering the service at a young age:

• Cadet entry: Aspiring naval officers would join the service as young cadets, often around 12 years old. For the aristocracy, this could be arranged through familial connections.
• Britannia Royal Naval College: From 1863, naval officer training was institutionalised through training ships and later at the  Royal Naval College, Dartmouth

. 

2. Training as a midshipman:

• Practical experience: Following college, a cadet was appointed a midshipman and had to gain extensive practical experience at sea.
• Patronage: Connections remained crucial, as a senior officer could take a young man under his wing. Many officers were reluctant to take on those without influential family connections. 

3. The Lieutenant’s examination:

• Merit-based advancement: The most significant step was passing the “Lieutenant’s Examination,” a demanding test of nautical and mathematical knowledge. Failure meant a midshipman could remain without promotion indefinitely.
• Post-exam placement: Even after passing, social connections were often necessary to secure an active posting, as there were always more qualified officers than available positions.