Reserved List

Reserved List, in the Royal Navy, a device which formerly existed for expediting the promotion of officers who were still of an age for active service. Under certain Orders in Council of 1851 and 1853, old officers of good service were selected for promotion to the next grade on the Reserved List. This formed a bar to any further promotion; and removed the officer from active employment, except in the remote contingency of the Active List being exhausted, when these 'reserved' officers were liable to be called upon to serve. For all practical purposes, however, the Reserved List was a retired list. The officers placed on it obtained the half-pay of the rank to which they were promoted, and their removal gave vacancies for the promotion of younger and more efficient men. This list has practically died out; in December 1890 there were only six admirals and six commanders remaining on it, and under the Retirement Scheme of 1870 absolute retirement according to age was substituted.