Colonel (United Kingdom) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colonel
Colonel Insignia
Country	United Kingdom
Service branch	British Army  Royal Marines
Abbreviation	Col
NATO rank	OF-5
Formation	Mid-16th century
Next higher rank	Brigadier
Next lower rank	Lieutenant colonel
Equivalent ranks	Captain (RN) Group captain (RAF)

A Colonel (often shortened to Col) is an important rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. This rank is below a Brigadier but above a Lieutenant Colonel.

British Colonels usually work as staff officers. This means they help plan and organize things between different army groups. They don't typically lead soldiers directly in battle.

The special sign for a Colonel is two diamond-shaped pips, also called "Bath Stars," under a crown. The type of crown has changed over time with different kings and queens. During Queen Elizabeth II's reign, the St Edward's Crown was used. This rank is similar to a Captain in the Royal Navy or a group captain in the Royal Air Force.

What Does "Colonel" Mean?

The word "Colonel" became popular thanks to the tercios in the Spanish Army a long time ago. This was in the 1500s and 1600s.

A general named Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba divided his soldiers into groups called coronelías. This word means "column of soldiers." Each coronelía was led by a coronel.

Other countries soon started using this idea. It became colonello in early Italian and coronel in French. The English word "Colonel" came from the French version in the mid-1500s. That's why it's spelled one way but often pronounced differently!

How the Colonel Rank Developed

The rank of Colonel was used even before the United Kingdom was formed. In the mid-1600s, groups of soldiers in the New Model Army were led by Colonels.

In the past, the British Army was built around "regiments." A regiment was a group of soldiers, often put together by a nobleman or directly by the King or Queen. The "Colonel of a regiment" was usually the nobleman who created it.

These Colonels often didn't do much of the daily leading. They might have been busy with other important jobs or just provided money. A Lieutenant Colonel or a Major usually led the regiment day-to-day.

By the late 1600s, a "colonel of a regiment" was often a titled person. They had royal permission to raise a regiment and lead it. They also had to pay for the soldiers' equipment, uniforms, and wages. They even chose the officers.

Many regiments were known by their Colonel's name. For example, "Lord Churchill's Dragoons" was a regiment named after its Colonel.

Changes in the 1700s

By the time of the American Revolutionary War, most British regiments were known by numbers. This was a big change!

The British government started paying for the soldiers' wages, clothing, and equipment. Colonels could no longer make money from selling officer positions in their regiments. A Lieutenant Colonel became the main commander in battle.

Colonels in the Napoleonic Wars

By the early Napoleonic Wars, being a "colonel of the regiment" became more of an honorary job. It was often given to respected generals or members of the royal family.

It was still a good position to have because Colonels managed the money given to their regiments. They could sometimes make a profit from these funds. This helped provide extra income for generals who might not have been earning much otherwise.

Modern Colonel Role

By the late 1800s, the British Army changed a lot. The rank of Colonel became a professional military role. Colonels took on important administrative jobs within a regiment or a larger group of soldiers called a brigade.

Special Colonel Titles

The British Army has some special titles for Colonels.

Colonel-in-Chief

A "colonel-in-chief" is usually a member of the British Royal Family. They act as a special supporter for a military unit. For example, Princess Margaret was the Colonel-in-Chief for the Bermuda Regiment.

They don't have a role in military operations. But they are kept updated on the unit's activities and visit them sometimes. Their main purpose is to connect the regiment directly with the British Royal Family.

Colonel of the Regiment

The title "colonel of the regiment" is a ceremonial role today. It's different from the military rank of Colonel.

This position is often given to retired general officers, brigadiers, or Colonels. They usually have a strong connection to a specific regiment. Sometimes, people who aren't in the military can also get this title, especially for units in the Army Reserve.

When they attend events as "colonel of the regiment," they wear the regiment's uniform with the rank signs of a full Colonel. This is true even if their official military rank was different. A member of the Royal Family in this role is called a royal colonel.

Honorary Colonel

Units can also have an honorary colonel. This is purely a ceremonial rank. It can even be held by a civilian who has no military experience. If a member of the Royal Family holds this, they are called a royal honorary colonel. Some units might also have "deputy colonels."

Royal Air Force Colonels

From April 1918 to July 1919, the Royal Air Force (RAF) also had the rank of Colonel. During this time, groups of RAF aircraft were often led by Colonels. However, on August 1, 1919, the rank of Colonel was replaced by the rank of group captain in the RAF.

Historical Rank Insignia

Badges for officers were first used in 1810. Back then, full Colonels wore a crown and a star on their shoulders.

In 1855, after the Crimean War, new rules changed where the rank signs were worn. Colonels then wore special laces on their collars, with one crown and one star.

In 1880, the signs moved to the shoulder boards. Full Colonels were given an extra star. The design of a crown above two stars has been the identifying sign for a Colonel since 1880. It has been worn on the shoulder, cuff, or chest at different times.

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  1810 to 1855 Colonel's shoulder rank sign

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  1856 to 1867 Colonel's collar rank sign

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  1867 to 1880 Colonel's collar rank sign

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  1881 to 1902 Colonel's shoulder rank sign

During World War I, Colonels wore these badges on their cuffs:

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  World War I Colonel's rank sign (general)

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  World War I Colonel's rank sign (Scottish)

Current Insignia

A Colonel's gorget patches

Today, a Colonel's rank sign is two diamond-shaped pips (or "Bath Stars") under a crown. They also wear special patches on their collar, called gorget patches or "red tabs." These are crimson with a brass button.

See also

• British and U.S. military ranks compared
• British Army Other Ranks rank insignia
• British Army officer rank insignia
• Colonel (title)
• Colonel-in-Chief