Those of you who have read John Keay's "The Great Arc" will recall Lambton's history. He joined as a "gentleman volunteer" in a regiment (the 33rd) which had an ensign vacancy (immediate promotion). The regiment was posted to America about 1780 and Lambton was captured in his first engagement. When he was released at the end of the war the 33rd was already back in England and due to his mathematical ability he was offered a position with the surveyor general in Canada. He was also appointed a Barracks master, but was still only an ensign in the 33rd He spent the next 10 years surveying Canada. In 1793 the 33rd acquired a Lieutenant-Colonel of probity (one A. Wellesley) and saw action in the Netherlands. As a result of this Lambton (much to his surprise) received a letter notifying him of promotion to Lieutenant. A year later he received a letter from his Lt Col asking about his intentions and ambitions for his army career - the 33rd had been posted to India and Wellesley wanted to take a full complement of officers with him. Lambton chose to go to India and impressed Wellesley, who ensured that he obtained the funds to start the Great Survey of India.
The nature of the 95th ensured that all their Lieutenant-Colonels were men of probity and the promotion system was applied fairly. Harry Smith purchased his 2nd Lieutenancy in the 95th just before the 2nd battalion was formed. When that happened, a lot of the senior officers moved to provide an experienced cadre for the new battalion, and Harry jumped to the top half of the Lieutenants list in the 1st battalion. He also arranged to have his brother Tom volunteer at the right time to get one of the vacant 2nd Lieutenancies. Harry eventually got his regimental captaincy in 1812, when his good friend, ?Tom Uniacke, died from wounds received in the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, but didn't get his majority until 1829. In the meantime he held a number of staff and army positions and several times was acting Brigadier. The 95th WAS different in that it consolidated its companies (maintaining them at ~100 men) and formed entirely new companies back at the depot. To get the command of one of the new companies, you had to leave the Peninsular and for Harry this would have meant giving up his staff positions (and pay).
Another brother of Harry's (Charlie) joined the 95th as a gentleman volunteer just before Waterloo and got his 2nd Lieutenancy on that day. Promotion thereafter was slow!
Another interesting example is William Surtees. Starting as a plain ranker, he rapidly made corporal. On transfer to the Rifles, his abilities were noted and he was made Sergeant Paymaster. From there (and after some solid years effort) he was promoted Quartermaster lieutenant - a rank he held until his retirement.
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Last update 14/07/02