Quartermaster-General to the Forces facts for kids
The Quartermaster-General to the Forces (QMG) is a very important general in the British Army. Think of them as the army's top "supply manager." Even though the title "Quartermaster-General" is still used, it's mostly a special name now. Since 2011, the official name for this job is the Chief of Materiel (Land). This person makes sure the army has everything it needs to do its job!
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History of the Quartermaster-General
The idea of a Quartermaster-General first appeared in English army records way back in 1667. It became a regular, official job in 1686.
What the QMG Did
The Quartermaster-General was a senior staff officer. This means they were a high-ranking helper to the main army leader, the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. Their main jobs were:
- Moving soldiers around.
- Finding places for soldiers to live or stay.
From the 1680s to the 1880s, the QMG also sometimes helped with military intelligence. This means they gathered secret information about enemies.
In 1888, the Quartermaster-General took on even more responsibility. They became in charge of:
- Transporting equipment.
- Supplying food and other items.
- Providing weapons and ammunition.
From 1904 onwards, the Quartermaster-General was a key member of the Army Council (1904). This was a top group that helped run the army.
Over time, other roles were created to help the QMG. A Deputy Quartermaster-General (a second-in-command) was first appointed in 1710. Assistant Quartermasters-General were around even earlier, from 1692.
The QMG Today
Today, the QMG is the highest-ranking general in the army who focuses on logistics. Logistics is all about planning and carrying out the movement of supplies, equipment, and people.
This general holds the title of Chief of Materiel (Land) (CoM(L)). They work within an organization called Defence Equipment and Support. The CoM(L) is also part of the Army Board, which is the most important committee in the British Army.
Some Past Quartermaster-Generals
Many important leaders have held the role of Quartermaster-General over the centuries. Here are a few examples:
- 1712–1742 Major-General John Armstrong
- 1796–1803 Lieutenant-General Sir David Dundas
- 1811–1851 General Sir James Gordon
- 1904–1905 General Sir Herbert Plumer
- 1939–1942 General Sir Walter Venning
- 2016–2019 Lieutenant General Paul Jaques
