Dear grthumongous-ga,
The system of purchasing commissions in the British Army ceased in
1870. In 1877, examinations were introduced which led to cadetship at
Sandhurst Military Academy. After training, successful cadets were
granted a commision.
According to General Douglas Haig?s biography, (b. June 19, 1861 ? d.
January 28, 1928) after attending Oxford university he entered
Sandhurst in 1884. Therefore he did not purchase his commission.
However, as reference below, one source observes that the cost of
college fees and school fees meant the social composition of the
officer class in the army remained the same.
Extracts from Haig?s biography
"Born in Edinburgh,1861. Educated at Clifton College and Brasenose
College, Oxford. In 1884 he entered Royal Military College, Sandhurst
direct from University. He passed in less than a year, holding the
Anson Memorial Sword as Senior Under-Officer. Haig then joined the 7th
(Queen's Own) Hussars, and spent the next 9 years as a regimental
officer, mostly in India, without great distinction - although within
3 he became Adjutant, and in 1891 was selected to act as Brigade Major
at a cavalry camp."
http://www.1914-1918.net/haig_bio.htm
Also at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/summary/xf50-001.htm
http://www.graphics35.freeserve.co.uk/dhaig/pages/essay.html
Several others can be sourced by using the search term below.
History of the Royal Military Academy
"RMC, Sandhurst, closed briefly in 1870 when the system of purchasing
commissions was abolished, as the purchase system had been the main
reason for attending the RMC - its successful cadets obtained their
first commissions free. From 1877 competitive examination led to the
appointment to a cadetship rather than a commission; RMC became the
normal route to a regular commission."
http://www.philipjohnston.com/rmas/history.htm
"The College was closed in 1870, when the purchase system was
abolished and first commissions were, for a time, awarded by written
competitive examination. The buildings were used to train successful
candidates in military skills while they waited to join their
regiments, but this did not prove satisfactory, and in 1877 the
examination became for appointment to the RMC as a cadet, rather than
for a commission. In practice the cost of the college fees was much
the same as that formerly charged for an ensign's commission, and
this, plus the school fees required in preparation for the entry
examinations, meant that the social composition of the Army's officers
remained unchanged."
http://www.atra.mod.uk/Atra/RMAS/history/history5.htm
You may also be interested in a another question on this topic
recently asked on Google Answers
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=304539
"Until 1870, the usual way for an officer of the cavalry or infantry
to obtain his commission was by purchase. A new candidate had to
produce evidence of having had "the education of a gentleman", to
obtain the approval of his regimental colonel, and to produce a
substantial sum which was both proof of his standing in society and a
bond for good behaviour." Allen, D. COMPATIBLE INCENTIVES AND THE
PURCHASE OF MILITARY COMMISSIONS
http://www.sfu.ca/~allen/army.pdf
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder
"douglas haig" general sandhurst
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22douglas+haig%22+general+sandhurst
"Military Academy" Sandhurst
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Military+Academy%22+Sandhurst&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
"Military Academy" Sandhurst 1877
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Military+Academy%22+Sandhurst+1877 |
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