The Major-General commanding the Household Division commands the Household Division of the British Army and is also the General Officer Commanding London District. In British Army parlance, "The Major-General" always refers to the Major-General commanding the Household Division. The Major-General has sole responsibility for the Service aspect of all State and ceremonial occasions within London District. The office holds executive command of the Household Division and of any other units brought into London for providing military security to the Sovereign, the Royal Palaces as well as for ceremonial purposes and is the main channel of communication between the Household Division and the Monarch. He or she is appointed by The Sovereign, and will previously have commanded a Regiment or Battalion within the Household Division.[1]

Major General Commanding the Household Division
since September 2023
British Army
London District
StyleMajor General
AbbreviationMGHD
Reports toThe Monarch
SeatHorse Guards
NominatorDefence Services Secretary
AppointerThe Monarch
Term length3-4 Years
Unofficial namesGeneral Officer Commanding London District
Badge of the Household Division
Edward Smyth-Osbourne in the full-dress uniform of a Major-General, on duty at the State Opening of Parliament in 2015

History

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The appointment dates from 14 July 1856, when an order was issued conveying the news that 'Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint Major-General Lord Rokeby, KCB, to serve on the Staff of the army, with a view to his exercising a general supervision over the Battalions [of Guards] in England, including those at Aldershot; all communications having reference to the Brigade of Guards will be addressed to him in future, instead of the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting as heretofore'.[2]

When the Home District (the forerunner of London District) was created in 1870, it too was placed under the authority of the Major-General, an arrangement which has remained in place ever since.[2]

Staff

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The Major General's Staff include the Chief of Staff London District, who deputises in the Major-General's absence, and the principal staff officer of the Household Division (known by his historic title of Brigade Major), who assists the Major General and is 'responsible to the Major General for the day to day running of the Public Duties and Household Division matters worldwide'.[3]

List of Commanders

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The holders of this office include:[4][5]

Commanding Home District

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Major-General Commanding the Brigade of Guards (1856–1870)

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Before 1856, orders for the Foot Guards were communicated to the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, a rotational appointment.

Major-General Commanding the Brigade of Guards and General Officer Commanding Home District (1870–1906)

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Major-General Commanding the Brigade of Guards and General Officer Commanding London District (1906–1950)

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Major-General Commanding the Household Brigade and General Officer Commanding London District (1950–1968)

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Major-General Commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District (1968–)

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References

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  1. ^ "Queen's Regulations for the Army" (PDF). QR Army July 2013, paragraph 8.062. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b Ross-ofBladensburg, Lt Col (1896). A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815 to 1895. London: A. D. Innes & Co. pp. 290–291.
  3. ^ The Queen's Regulations for the Army 1975 (PDF). London: Ministry of Defence. 2019. p. 2A-4. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  4. ^ Regiments.org
  5. ^ Army Commands Archived 2015-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ John Philippart, The Royal Military Calendar (1820) volume I, p. 264.
  7. ^ J. F. G. Ross-of-Bladensburg, A History of the Coldstream Guards from 1815 to 1895 (London, 1896) p. 290.
  8. ^ History of the Colstream Guards, p. 304.
  9. ^ History of the Coldstream Guards, p. 307.
  10. ^ a b History of the Coldstream Guards, p. 315.
  11. ^ The Court Circular, 29 June 2011
  12. ^ Service Appointments The Times, 8 February 2013
  13. ^ "No. 61624". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 2016. p. 3.
  14. ^ "The Army in London - HQ London District". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  15. ^ "New appointments". Grenadier Guards Association. Retrieved 20 August 2023.