From the Civil Wars to the Second World War, the British army proved to be the most successful and effective throughout the world. This is an original and chronological insight into the full history and role of the regimental British officer.

Clayton describes how evolving national history, developments in battlefield technology, and changing concepts in leadership theory and practice all contributed to the changing attitudes and triangular relationship of the officer, soldier and the nation which pays.  The British Officer further explores the world of the ‘professional’ officers engineers, intelligence, doctors, veterinary surgeons, chaplains, transport and logistics, and looks at how these were all critical support to the battle. 

The personal memoirs and biographies, and autobiographies of officers concerning their regimental service years and record, shed light onto who these officers were, where they came from and what motivated them to join the British army.

This is an original, compelling and personal account of British Officers.

"Anthony Clayton's book The British Officer: A History of the Regimental Officers of the British Army is fascinating and an informative history of the Regimental system and the British Officers who made it work. They did not always reflect the society they sprang from, but the British Army today enjoys the high reputation it does because of their contribution throughout the Army's history. Anybody who wants to understand why the British Army is what it is today should read this book."

General the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE

"This is a very interesting book that tackles in an informed and cogent fashion one of the key elements in fighting quality, and throws much light on the organisational culture of the British army."

Professor Jeremy Black, Exeter.