British Army officer rank insignia some time to become familiar with them all. Those in the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant are often referred to as subalterns. Those of Brigadier, Colonel, Lt. Colonel and Major are considered to be of field officers. All above these are considered to be of general officer rank. For a short period, the British Army used the rank of sub-lieutenant, before that was changed to second lieutenant. Before 1767, there were no definite badges for Field Marshals and General officers. In 1767, the British Army issued an order to distinguish Field Marshals (once the rank was established in
British Army officer rank insignia 1813) and different graded General officers by the combination of chevron-shaped ess pattern laces on the sleeve. During the Napoleonic wars, Field Marshals wore oak-leaf embroidered collar and cuff; and shoulder cord instead of previous pattern. It was continued till the end of 1830. At the beginning of 1831, new rank distinction was ordered for Field Marshals and General officers. After the Crimean War (30 January 1855), War Office ordered different rank badges for British General, staff and Regimental officers. It was the first complete set of rank badges to be used by the British Army. In 1868, Brigadier Generals