Tom Morgan Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 In 1901, the Kaiser was given the rank of Field Marshal in the British Army by his uncle, Edward VII. The Tsar received the same honorary rank, too. But I think that some German princes, dukes, etc., were also honoured at various times by being made honorary Colonels-in-Chief of British Regiments. Does anyone know any details? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 Belfast News-Letter - Friday 19 June 1896 " Baron Eckarstein, Attache to the German Embassy in London, on behalf of the Emperor, presented to the 1st Royal Dragoons, of which his Imperial Majesty is the honorary colonel-in-chief, a magnificent laurel wreath in commemoration of the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough - Thursday 26 April 1894" The Emperor William is much more than the Generalissimo of the great German army. He is honorary colonel to no fewer than 17 regiments. He is likewise an admiral of the Danish and British navies. "Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 Not sure if these are exactly what you are after Tom, but interesting enough. A good trawl through the British Newspaper Archives will no doubt find more? Western Times - Wednesday 25 May 1910German Honour for Queen Mary. Berlin Tuesday" Queen Mary has been appointed Honorary Colonel of the Fifth Pomerania Bleucher Hussars, succeeding King Edward-Reuter. "Western Daily Press - Monday 09 March 1914" One of the guests is to be Colonel Holzing, commanding the German regiment of which King George is the honorary colonel. "Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 Worked the other way Edward VII had an honourary rank in the German army. On one state visit he was supposed to descend from a train, to the strains of God Save the King dressed in his German uniform. The band played but Edward did not appear - he had lunched too well (and very often) since the original fitting and the buttons wouldn't do up. The band kept playing over and over whilst some hasty repositioning of buttons took place and eventually Edward, moving very slowly in case something popped, appeared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 It's pretty common for foreign royalty to hold honorary colonelcies in British regiments. King of Norway was always Colonel in Chief of the Green Howards, by way of one example. HM King Abdullah of Jordan is currently Col in C of the Light Dragoons and HM Queen Margrethe of Denmark does the honours for PWRR. King Alfonso (the XIII ? ? ) of Spain was Col in C of a cavalry regiment in the early years of the 20th century, and turned up incorrectly dressed on one occasion with his Sam Browne cross strap over the left shoulder. All the officers rapidly changed, (this was in the days when the Sam Browne was made to take a full set of equipment with two cross straps) and retained the mode of dress as a tradition until whenever. I can't remember the full details, but I have a recollection of reading about the Austrian Emperor writing to the Kings Dragoon Guards, a British regiment of which he was Colonel in Chief in 1914, regrettably relinquishing his appointment in the light of "current unfortunate circumstances" and expressing the hope that the connection could be resumed when happier times ensued. KDG wore the imperial double headed eagle as their cap badge, which apparently caused some interest when KDG's met Germans in a PoW situation. I'm sure you'll get chapter and verse from better informed Forumistas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 I know that, Tsar Nichols II was made Admiral of the Fleet in 1908 as was as was Prince Heinrich of Prussia in 1910. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 19 October , 2013 Admin Share Posted 19 October , 2013 They are listed in the front of the Army Lists. e.g. August 1914 Field Marshall His Imperial MAjesty Francis Joseph I Emporer of Austria and King h Hungary KG Col in Chief 1st Dragoon Guards Field Marshall His Majesty William II German Emporer King of Prussia KG GCVO Coil in Chief 1st Dragoons His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II Emporer of Russia KG Col in Chief 2nd Dragoons General His Majesty Alfonso XIII King of Spain KG GCVO Col in Chief 16th Lancers His Majesty Haakon VII King of Norway KG GCB GCVO Hon Col Norfolk Yeomanry His Majesty Christian X King of Denmark KG GCB GCVO Col in Chief East Kent Regiment By Nov 1916 the German and Austrian leaders had gone and Hon General His Majesty CHowfa Maha Vajiravudh King of Siam GCB GCVO was listed but without a regiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 They are listed in the front of the Army Lists. e.g. August 1914 Chapter and Verse, as expected. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 A number of foreign VIP's also received the top Knightood - The Order of the Garter...... Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - Appointment annulled 1915... he later became a Nazi.... The Kaiser of course ... again annulled 1915. Franz Joseph...Austrian Emperor.....annulled 1915 Prince Ernest Augustus, 3rd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale.... annulled 1915 Prince Henry of Prussia.... annulled 1915....younger brother of the Kaiser. Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse......annulled 1915.... served a a General in the Kaisers Headquarters. Etc. Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 Some interesting honorary colonels http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75078#entry683702http://www.pickelhauben.net/articles/Women%20as%20Regimental%20Chef.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 The German Crown Prince was Colonel in Chief of the 11th Hussars (PAO). I wrote a piece for the museum website a couple of months (now sadly removed), but more details available if required - PM me if you're wanting them. He was extremely popular and a visit to (IIRC) Shorncliffe was a great day for all - he took part in a polo tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 19 October , 2013 Share Posted 19 October , 2013 The German Crown Prince was Colonel in Chief of the 11th Hussars (PAO). I wrote a piece for the museum website a couple of months (now sadly removed), but more details available if required - PM me if you're wanting them. He was extremely popular and a visit to (IIRC) Shorncliffe was a great day for all - he took part in a polo tournament. A decent cove, pro-British, deserves to be well remembered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morgan Posted 21 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 21 October , 2013 Thanks all - you've given me quite a bit of new information there. All gratefully received, as always. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth78 Posted 29 January , 2014 Share Posted 29 January , 2014 Restored to his Glory: The German Crown Prince was Colonel in Chief of the 11th Hussars (PAO). I wrote a piece for the museum website a couple of months (now sadly removed), but more details available if required - PM me if you're wanting them. He was extremely popular and a visit to (IIRC) Shorncliffe was a great day for all - he took part in a polo tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 29 January , 2014 Share Posted 29 January , 2014 Why is this thread apparently in the 'POWs in Australian archives' sub-forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 29 January , 2014 Share Posted 29 January , 2014 I believe that the German regiment of which King George V wa the honorary colonel was the 8th Cuirassiers. As has already been pointed out, there were quite a lot of these mutual compliments paid before the war. Incidentally Tsar Nicholas II presented 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) with a white bearskin cap with a red plume, to be worn by the kettle-drummer. Although the original has been retired to the museum at Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards still keep up the tradition. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 29 January , 2014 Share Posted 29 January , 2014 Why is this thread apparently in the 'POWs in Australian archives' sub-forum? Obviously just a minor quantum level shock wave in the fabric of reality, the tremor starting in Australia and possibly caused by a winning England cricket team causing random space time fluctuations in the structure of the forum. Seems to have settled back to normality again (possibly due to the position of he mens team in their match).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdr Posted 29 January , 2014 Share Posted 29 January , 2014 King Albert of the Belgians was honorary colonel of the German 16th dragoner (one of the first regiments to invade Belgium ) and also of the Austro-Hungarian infantry regiment König der Belgier (this regiment apparently kept its name all through the war) Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now