The British Officer : Leading the Army from 1660 to the present

An Army officer must lead men into frightening and dangerous situations and sometimes make them do things that they never thought they could do. This book recounts how British officers have led their men, and commanded their respect, from the days of Marlborough to the Second Iraq war of 2003. Anthony Clayton explores who the officers, men and now women, have been and are, where they came from, what ideals or traditions have motivated them, and their own perceptions of themselves. His account tells the fascinating story of how the role of the military officer evolved, illustrated by a selection of captivating images, and the personal memoirs, biographies and autobiographies of officers.

From the Civil Wars to the Second World War, the British army proved to be the most successful and effective throughout the world. This is an original and chronological insight into the full history and role of the regimental British officer.

Clayton describes how evolving national history, developments in battlefield technology, and changing concepts in leadership theory and practice all contributed to the changing attitudes and triangular relationship of the officer, soldier and the nation which pays.  The British Officer further explores the world of the ‘professional’ officers engineers, intelligence, doctors, veterinary surgeons, chaplains, transport and logistics, and looks at how these were all critical support to the battle.