Surveyor-General of the Ordnance facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Office of the Surveyor-General of the Ordnance
Board of Ordnance Arms preserved on a gun tampion in Gibraltar
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Member of	Board of Ordnance (1538-1888)
Reports to	Master-General of the Ordnance
Appointer	Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council
Term length	Not fixed (typically 3–9 years)
Inaugural holder	Henry Johnson
Formation	1538-1888

The Surveyor-General of the Ordnance was an important job in the British government. This person worked for the Board of Ordnance, which was a group that managed military supplies and equipment. The Surveyor-General was in charge of checking that all weapons and supplies were good quality. They also became responsible for making maps, especially of military forts and later, all of Great Britain. This mapping work led to the creation of the famous Ordnance Survey.

What Did the Surveyor-General Do?

The Surveyor-General had several key duties. Their main job was to inspect all the military equipment, like cannons and gunpowder, to make sure it was well made. They had to ensure everything was ready for use by the army.

Mapping and Fortifications

Over time, the role grew to include mapping. The Surveyor-General was responsible for drawing maps of military buildings and defenses. This was very important for planning and protecting the country. Eventually, this mapping work expanded to cover the entire country.

A Look at the History of the Role

The job of Surveyor-General changed quite a bit over the years. At first, it was sometimes held by the same person who was the Chief Engineer. This meant one person was in charge of both designing military structures and checking supplies.

Becoming a Political Position

After 1750, the role became more political. This meant that the person holding the job would often change when a new government came into power. It was no longer just a technical job but one connected to the ruling party.

The End of the Original Role

The original Board of Ordnance was closed down in 1855. At that time, the Surveyor-General position was empty. The last person to hold the job, Lauderdale Maule, had passed away.

Revival and Final Abolition

The job was brought back in 1870 by a new law called the War Office Act. In its new form, the Surveyor-General was responsible for all the army's logistics. This means they managed how supplies, equipment, and people were moved and kept ready. The role continued until 1888, when it was finally ended for good.

Images for kids

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  Board of Ordnance Arms preserved on a gun tampion in Gibraltar