Gentleman ranker facts for kids

In the British Army, a gentleman ranker was an enlisted soldier. This person usually came from a wealthy family and had a good education. They were the kind of person who might normally become a commissioned officer, which is a higher rank. Sometimes, they were even former officers themselves. The famous writer Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem about them in 1892 called "Gentlemen-Rankers."

What is a Gentleman Ranker?

The idea of a "gentleman ranker" means a soldier who was born into a rich or important family. But for some reason, they ended up serving as a regular soldier, one of the "other ranks." This was often seen as a step down for them. They might have done something wrong, or perhaps they just chose a different path. They served alongside common soldiers, often away from the high society they came from.

Why Would Someone Become One?

There were a few reasons why someone from a wealthy background might become a gentleman ranker. Sometimes, it was because they had made a mistake or caused a scandal. They might have been sent away from home to avoid embarrassing their family.

Other times, men joined the army specifically as "gentleman volunteers." They served as private soldiers, but there was an understanding that they might later become officers without having to buy their commission. These men trained and fought like regular soldiers. However, they often ate and socialized with the officers. This gave them a special social standing, somewhere between the officers and the regular soldiers.

Famous Gentleman Rankers

One of the most well-known gentleman rankers in the 20th century was T. E. Lawrence. He was a famous British officer during World War I, known as "Lawrence of Arabia." After the war, he left the army as a colonel, which is a very high rank. But later, he rejoined the military as an enlisted man, using a different name. He wanted to serve in a simpler role.

Is the Term Still Used Today?

Over time, society has changed a lot. More people from different backgrounds can get a good education and join the army. Because of this, the idea of a "gentleman ranker" is not as common anymore. The term is becoming old-fashioned. However, soldiers who come from noble families, landowners, or who went to private schools might still sometimes be called gentleman rankers.

Rudyard Kipling's Poem

The term "gentleman ranker" appears in several stories by Rudyard Kipling. He also used it as the title of one of his poems. This poem was published in a collection called Barrack-Room Ballads, and Other Verses in 1892. Later, in 1941, the poet T. S. Eliot included Kipling's poem in his own collection, A Choice of Kipling's Verse.

Related Ideas

• Artists Rifles: This was a special British Army unit that included artists and other professionals.
• Temporary gentlemen: This term was sometimes used for officers, especially during wartime, who did not come from the traditional "officer class."