Talk:Field marshal (United Kingdom)/Archive 1

Life appointment
I have a recollection that the rank of Field Marshal is held for life and the holder never formally retires. Anyone confirm or debunk? Folks at 137 20:41, 7 May 2007 (UTC) --- Hello From The Philippines. http://www.michaelmanalolazo.winnerforum.net —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.54.104.90 (talk) 07:54, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

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Abeyance
I understand from Army colleagues that this rank is no longer used in the UK because the Americans do not like a British officer to have as many "stars" as their most senior-ranking officers. 86.7.211.128 (talk) 00:02, 9 February 2010 (UTC)


 * And why would you understand that?
 * You understand "from Army colleagues". From colleagues in which Army?
 * "because the Americans do not like a British officer to have as many "stars" as their most senior-ranking officers" - That may well be true, but it would not make any difference to, or have any influence on, the British, or any other nation for that matter. Despite their over-inflated opinions of their own self importance, most nations don't really give a F*** what the Americans might think or feel about their own superiotity.
 * "because the Americans do not like a British officer to have as many "stars" as their most senior-ranking officers" - Are you trying to imply or state that the Americans have an inferiority complex? I'm unconvinced.
 * When it comes down to it, what is it that you are trying to say?
 * Cheers, Pdfpdf (talk) 11:31, 9 February 2010 (UTC)


 * "I understand from" is another form of "I've been told by" so what's the problem?; it's British Army colleagues with whom I work; many nations care about or do what the Americans say (whether they like to or not), especially ones who must serve under an American commander in NATO and/or serve alongside an American military - in numerous theatres - who always call the shots and make decisions; yes, the inference is that the Americans want to stand above (in seniority) those they command or serve alongside. I've edited out the repeat in my original post. 86.7.211.128 (talk) 00:27, 14 February 2010 (UTC)


 * You have misquoted me. What I sort of said was: most nations don't care what the Americans might think or feel about their own superiority. Yes, I agree that the golden rule is: "The one with the gold, rules.", and the Americans do indeed seem to have lots of gold to spend. But again, it's unclear to me what your question is. Pdfpdf (talk) 03:14, 14 February 2010 (UTC)


 * By-the-way, I don't think the Americans currently have any 5 stars. I believe the most recent appointment was in 1950, and the last of them died in the 1980s. Except for ceremonial appointments, honourary appointments, and self-appointments(!), I don't think any nation has made any appointment to that level for some time. (e.g. List of field marshals)
 * (But I could be wrong ... ) Cheers, Pdfpdf (talk) 03:14, 14 February 2010 (UTC)


 * Even prior to appointments to the rank being stopped, 5 star rank was only used for those holding the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff, not for anyone who held an operational command, so there wouldn't have been a direct problem with a British officer out-ranking a US officer. The change had more to do with the realisation that with the reduced size of British forces after the end of the Cold War, there simply wasn't any justification for having an active 5 star (a comparison with the size of US forces may have had some influence here), and it was part of the general cost-cutting within the British defence establishment at the time.  Since 5 stars never technically retire, they go on costing money.  I've been told by someone in a position to know, that Marshal of the RAF Michael Beetham still has a driver paid for by the MOD as technically he's still on active duty.  David Underdown (talk) 21:06, 14 February 2010 (UTC)

5 star rank?
Is 5 star rank a generally understood and used term, or is it US specific? And is it appropriate to describe Field Marshal as 5 star, or should it be expressed as "the equivalent of a 5 star US rank"? Historically, Field Marshal had more do do with the similarly named rank in other countries. 82.18.78.13 (talk) 19:54, 27 March 2010 (UTC)
 * "Is 5 star rank a generally understood and used term" - I don't know about "generally", but its use is wide-spread.
 * "or is it US specific" - US origin, but no longer US specific.
 * "And is it appropriate to describe Field Marshal as 5 star" - Yes.
 * or should it be expressed as "the equivalent of a 5 star US rank" - It can/could be, but not "should".
 * Cheers, Pdfpdf (talk) 14:44, 16 May 2010 (UTC)

The Queen's appointments?
I know the Queen is an honorary colonel. Is she actually a Field Marshal? Pdfpdf (talk) 14:49, 16 May 2010 (UTC) Pdfpdf (talk) 14:59, 16 May 2010 (UTC)
 * She does not appear on List of British Field Marshals
 * List of titles and honours of Queen Elizabeth II does not mention FM. - but it doesn't mention Col, either.
 * List of titles and honours of Queen Elizabeth II doesn't mention FM.
 * Captain General: "In the modern British Army, and the armies of various Commonwealth nations, the term Captain General is used generally when describing the ceremonial head of the artillery corps."
 * Colonel-in-Chief: "In the various Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its (usually royal) patron."

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