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Back when Confidential Reports actually made sense
British Journal for Military History, Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2014
www.bjmh.org.uk 12
The Annual Confidential Report and Promotion in the Late Victorian Army
ABSTRACT
The annual confidential report offers insights into both the manner of
promotion in the late Victorian Army and the personalities of some of its
key figures. This article looks in depth at the form, function and usage of
the Annual Confidential Report, arguing that it was a flawed system
which hampered the ability of Lord Roberts and Viscount Wolseley to
promote the best officers to high command.
Whatever the drawbacks in the reporting system, it is clear that those officers who
were unsatisfactory were noted. Reports could often be frank, or at least extended
only the faintest qualified praise. An example of the former is the October 1880
report on Lieutenant Louis Carden of the Royal Artillery, namely that, ‘This officer
appears to have little professional zeal. I have not formed a very high opinion of his
capacity as an officer, if he has any he succeeds in disguising it.’ An example of the
second is Wolseley’s comment on Lieutenant Colonel Robert Oxley of the 2nd
Gordon Highlanders in November 1893:
"More full of zeal than brains: he seldom leaves the Barracks except on duty
& works unremittingly for his men. If attention to business & unnecessary
care for his Battn. & for its good name & credit could of themselves make a
good C.O., then he ought to be about the best in the Army. But his Battn. is
not well taught in the art of fighting. Col Oxley is an old fashioned officer
who seems to think drill the end and instead of being merely a means to an
end."
https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/download/590/712/
British Journal for Military History, Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2014
www.bjmh.org.uk 12
The Annual Confidential Report and Promotion in the Late Victorian Army
ABSTRACT
The annual confidential report offers insights into both the manner of
promotion in the late Victorian Army and the personalities of some of its
key figures. This article looks in depth at the form, function and usage of
the Annual Confidential Report, arguing that it was a flawed system
which hampered the ability of Lord Roberts and Viscount Wolseley to
promote the best officers to high command.
Whatever the drawbacks in the reporting system, it is clear that those officers who
were unsatisfactory were noted. Reports could often be frank, or at least extended
only the faintest qualified praise. An example of the former is the October 1880
report on Lieutenant Louis Carden of the Royal Artillery, namely that, ‘This officer
appears to have little professional zeal. I have not formed a very high opinion of his
capacity as an officer, if he has any he succeeds in disguising it.’ An example of the
second is Wolseley’s comment on Lieutenant Colonel Robert Oxley of the 2nd
Gordon Highlanders in November 1893:
"More full of zeal than brains: he seldom leaves the Barracks except on duty
& works unremittingly for his men. If attention to business & unnecessary
care for his Battn. & for its good name & credit could of themselves make a
good C.O., then he ought to be about the best in the Army. But his Battn. is
not well taught in the art of fighting. Col Oxley is an old fashioned officer
who seems to think drill the end and instead of being merely a means to an
end."
https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/download/590/712/