Explore Harts Army List of 1888 and discover your ancestor. The list includes over 40,000 names of serving, reserve and retired officers of the British Army. Uncover commission dates and a summary of war services.

Each record includes a short transcript for every individual entry and an image of the original document. The image will give you further information about the individual’s rank, dates of promotion and war services.

Transcript

  • Name
  • Regiment

Image

  • Year of service
  • Current rank and dates of promotions*
  • Additional notes of war services
  • Location of service

*Promotions usually include a date for Ensign or Cornet rank. Both are the lowest grade of a commissioned officer. Cornet was used for cavalry and Ensign was used by infantry. Both ranks were abolished in 1871. They are equivalent to a Second Lieutenant.

Discover more about Harts Army List 1888

The Harts Annual Army List, Militia List, Yeomanry Cavalry List and Indian Civil Service List was compiled by compiled by Colonel H. G. Hart. This unofficial army list was given approval by military officials and Hart was allowed access to military records to create this extensive army list which includes promotion dates and additional notes of war services.

Harts Army List is organised by regiment including a brief record of service of each British regiment. It also contains list of military departments, medical staff, deaths and resignations.

Abbreviations

  • K.G. Knight of the Order of the Garter
  • K.T. Knight of the Order of the Thistle
  • K.P. Knight of the Order of St. Patrick
  • G.C.B. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  • K.C.B. Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
  • C.B. Companion of the Order of the Bath
  • K.C.S.I. Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  • C.S.I. Companion of the Star of India
  • G.C.M.G. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
  • K.C.M.G. Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
  • C.M.G. Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
  • G.C.H. Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphia Order
  • K.C.H. Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
  • K.H. Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
  • K.C. Knight of the Crescent
  • p.s.c. Before the names of Officers who have the Staff College
  • P Before the Date, indicated that the commission was purchased
  • T (in an Old English style) Before the name, denotes that the Officer was at the Battle of Trafalger
  • P (in an Old English style) Before the name, denotes that the Officer served in the Peninsula, or the South of France
  • W (in an Old English style) Waterloo Medal (Officers actually present in either of the actions of the 16th, 17th or 18th June, 1815)
  • (*) Before the name of fate of commission denotes temporary rank only
  • (I ) Before a name signifies that the Officer mentioned is on the Unemployed Supernumerary List