The Annual Confidential Report and Promotion in the Late Victorian Army

[daftandbarmy]

Back when Confidential Reports actually made sense

British Journal for Military History, Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2014
www.bjmh.org.uk 12

The Annual Confidential Report and Promotion in the Late Victorian Army

ABSTRACT
The annual confidential report offers insights into both the manner of
promotion in the late Victorian Army and the personalities of some of its
key figures. This article looks in depth at the form, function and usage of
the Annual Confidential Report, arguing that it was a flawed system
which hampered the ability of Lord Roberts and Viscount Wolseley to
promote the best officers to high command.

Whatever the drawbacks in the reporting system, it is clear that those officers who
were unsatisfactory were noted. Reports could often be frank, or at least extended
only the faintest qualified praise. An example of the former is the October 1880
report on Lieutenant Louis Carden of the Royal Artillery, namely that, ‘This officer
appears to have little professional zeal. I have not formed a very high opinion of his
capacity as an officer, if he has any he succeeds in disguising it.’ An example of the
second is Wolseley’s comment on Lieutenant Colonel Robert Oxley of the 2nd
Gordon Highlanders in November 1893:

"More full of zeal than brains: he seldom leaves the Barracks except on duty
& works unremittingly for his men. If attention to business & unnecessary
care for his Battn. & for its good name & credit could of themselves make a
good C.O., then he ought to be about the best in the Army. But his Battn. is
not well taught in the art of fighting. Col Oxley is an old fashioned officer
who seems to think drill the end and instead of being merely a means to an
end."

https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/download/590/712/

 

[ueo]

Back when Confidential Reports actually made sense

British Journal for Military History, Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2014
www.bjmh.org.uk 12

The Annual Confidential Report and Promotion in the Late Victorian Army

ABSTRACT
The annual confidential report offers insights into both the manner of
promotion in the late Victorian Army and the personalities of some of its
key figures. This article looks in depth at the form, function and usage of
the Annual Confidential Report, arguing that it was a flawed system
which hampered the ability of Lord Roberts and Viscount Wolseley to
promote the best officers to high command.

Whatever the drawbacks in the reporting system, it is clear that those officers who
were unsatisfactory were noted. Reports could often be frank, or at least extended
only the faintest qualified praise. An example of the former is the October 1880
report on Lieutenant Louis Carden of the Royal Artillery, namely that, ‘This officer
appears to have little professional zeal. I have not formed a very high opinion of his
capacity as an officer, if he has any he succeeds in disguising it.’ An example of the
second is Wolseley’s comment on Lieutenant Colonel Robert Oxley of the 2nd
Gordon Highlanders in November 1893:

"More full of zeal than brains: he seldom leaves the Barracks except on duty
& works unremittingly for his men. If attention to business & unnecessary
care for his Battn. & for its good name & credit could of themselves make a
good C.O., then he ought to be about the best in the Army. But his Battn. is
not well taught in the art of fighting. Col Oxley is an old fashioned officer
who seems to think drill the end and instead of being merely a means to an
end."

https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/download/590/712/

Many others exist, to wit "This officer tends to push doors marked pulll." and "This officer, when attempting to throw himself on the ground missed." and on and on.

 

[OldSolduer]

Many others exist, to wit "This officer tends to push doors marked pulll." and "This officer, when attempting to throw himself on the ground missed." and on and on.

the troops only follow this officer to see what happens next.

Set a low standard and failed to maintain it....

 

[ModlrMike]

Out of his depth in a car park puddle.

And my favourite...

Used my ship to carry his genitals from port to port, and my sailors to carry him from brothel to brothel.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Rick Jolly put some of that in his book, helpfully

• His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity.
• I would not breed from this Officer.
• This Officer is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definitely won't-be.
• When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there.
• He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire satisfaction.
• He would be out of his depth in a car park puddle.
• Technically sound, but socially impossible.
• This Officer reminds me very much of a gyroscope - always spinning around at a frantic pace, but not really going anywhere.
• This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
• When he joined my ship, this Officer was something of a granny; since then he has aged considerably.
• Since my last report he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig.
• She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
• He has the wisdom of youth, and the energy of old age.
• This Officer should go far - and the sooner he starts, the better.
• In my opinion this pilot should not be authorized to fly below 250 feet.
• This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
• The only ship I would recommend this man for is citizenship.
• Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.

Source: "Jackspeak: The Pusser's Rum Guid to Royal Navy Slanguage" by Rick Jolly, 1989.

British Officer Fitness Reports

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