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Remembered Today:

'His Majesty's Army' Major - a QC. Court Martial descripti


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Hello!

I am looking for some advice, (and hopefully images) as to what an Officer of the below description would wear as his uniform. The Major is attending a Court Martial in 1916 and is described as:

'His Majesty's Army, prosecuting on behalf of the army and a barrister in civilian life - a QC'

I presume that, as Major he would have the same rank insignia as an ordinary Major, (the one crown, with three strips of braid). I don't know what QC stands for however? would a person of this description be dressed as a regular Major or is there some difference?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

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QC is 'Queens Counsel' - they're supposed to be the top end of the legal profession (KC - 'Kings Counsel')

When it comes to courts it wasn't unusual for legally qualified officers to be utilised for the case, returning to their normal military role afterwards.

Craig

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Hi,

He wouldn't have been a QC (Queens Counsel) in 1916 as there was a male head of state - he would have been a KC - Kings Counsel.

KC & QC are senior Barristers.

IMHO the title of KC would not have impacted on the uniform worn as a serving officer.

Regards

Steve Y

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No idea of the what he'd wear but I'd assume a QC is exactly what a QC is today - Queens Council and someone who would defend or prosecute in Crown Court.

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Hi,

He wouldn't have been a QC (Queens Counsel) in 1916 as there was a male head of state - he would have been a KC - Kings Counsel.

KC & QC are senior Barristers.

IMHO the title of KC would not have impacted on the uniform worn as a serving officer.

Regards

Steve Y

I was wondering on the QC and KC bit - if it was granted under Queen Vic would it have changed from QC to KC on her death ?

Craig

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Hi Craig,

Good point but I don't know the answer off the top of my head......

Steve Y

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Hi Craig,

Good point but I don't know the answer off the top of my head......

Steve Y

Actually, I think it did - just looked at the article further and it links to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McCall_%28barrister%29- made a QC under Victoria and later used KC (unless he was somehow removed as a QC and later made appointed as a KC).

Craig

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Yes, a bit of confusion over the QC part...will investigate but agree that KC would make more sense for the period.

Thanks very much Craig for your help, I haven't read anything to suggest that the Major's uniform would be changed depending on his work as a barrister in civilian life so think it is ok to assume it wouldn't be any different and it's just a case of him being called upon for the courts due to his experience.

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