Major-General commanding the Household Division

Summary

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
Incumbent
Major General James Bowder
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

List of Commanders edit

The holders of this office include:[2][3]

Commanding Home District edit

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

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) edit

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

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

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

References edit

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