Miscellaneous information

1870

• the War Office Act reorganised the War Office.  The various sections of the War Department were brought together
• the Commander in Chief became subordinate to the Secretary for War
• the Army Enlistment Act fixed the term of enlistment to 12 years, part on active service and part on reserve.  Before this, enlistment was for life
• overseas service was limited to six years.  This was to be followed by six years in the reserve
• the Martini-Henry rifle became the infantry's standard weapon

1871

• purchasing of Commissions was abolished
• selection and promotion of officers on merit
• flogging in peacetime in the Royal Navy was suspended

1872

• each regiment was to have two linked battalions.  One would serve overseas and one would serve at home
• Britain was divided into 69 districts, each with its own county regiment.  The regiment was to bear the county name
• it was hoped to boost recruitment by attaching regiments to local areas

1879

• flogging in war time was suspended in the Royal Navy

1881

• flogging was abolished in the army
• regular and militia battalions were amalgamated into territorial regiments with local names and local depots