Hon Ranks Info

[Mike McCormick]

I have been sent the following info from a contact at Rootsweb.
Hope it sheds some light on the rank of Hon Captain etc.
The bulk of the Hon Ranks in both the British and Indian Armies are in relation to the Quartermastering role.
Many mentions have been made regarding Sub-Conductors and Conductors who were always men who were promoted from the ranks of sergeant and above ie Warrant Officers, to fulfil the responsible role of supply for the Army.
They would, or should be, all on the un-attatched list of their Presidency in Hon East India Company's days but on the Indian Army Un-attatched list after about 1860.
The positions were not only at a regimental level but were often in Brigade or Division areas such as cattle supply, fodder and horse breeding and the prison service and a few other areas.
They would start at Sub Level and if lucky/efficient etc they would progress to Conductor, Deputy Commissary, Assistant Commissary, Commissary and even a few to Assistant Commissary General.
The Artillery still retain the Conductor Rank, the man being responsible for the supply function for both the ammunition and the "Field Train" etc.
Further Info is available at the India Line Archive.
Mike

[Keith Jones 989]

In the last sentence that surely, should read, the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) retain the appointment WO1 (Conductor) - as a throwback to the RAOC - not the Royal Artillery?

I am, of course, 13 years out of date and it may well have changed in that time.