Corporal

Corporal, in the British army, is the grade of non-commissioned officer next below that of sergeant. When the regiment is on parade he falls in as a private soldier, but in barracks or camp he exercises certain disciplinary control over the privates, commands small guards, and does orderly duty. The distinctive badge is two Chevrons (q.v.) on the sleeve. The pay varies from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 4d. a day. There are 4 corporals to each troop of cavalry, and 5 to each Company (q.v.) of infantry. A lance-corporal is an acting corporal, who remains on private's pay, and wears one chevron only. In the artillery there is a special grade of non-commissioned officer below that of corporal, called a bombardier, with pay equal to the lowest rate of corporals in the infantry. The badge is one chevron, and there are acting bombardiers, but no lance-corporals. In the engineers the corresponding rank is that of second corporal. In the Household cavalry the title of corporal of horse is given to the non-commissioned officers corresponding to the troop sergeant-majors of other cavalry regiments (see COLOUR-SERGEANT). The pay is 3s. a day. A ship's corporal in the navy is a petty-officer under the master-at-arms, to guard against the smuggling of spirits on board, extinguish the fires and lights, and keep order below at night.