Commander-in-Chief

:For the television series, see Commander-in-Chief (TV series).

Commonwealth

In the Commonwealth of Nations, as elsewhere, the head of state invariably holds the title of Commander-in-Chief, though it is usual for Governors and Governors-General also to be Commander-in-Chief in their respective territories.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth of Nations - Governor - Governors-General

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United Kingdom

The title Commander-in-Chief is rarely used by the Sovereign, but usually refers to local or service commanders-in-chief.

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In the Royal Navy, the overall head of the Navy is known as the Lord High Admiral, and the post has been variously held by the monarch, an individual admiral, or by a board of commissioners. There have in addition long been many commanders-in-chief in charge of Royal Navy ships in foreign stations. During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the term was extended to cover the senior Admiral in a theatre of the war, such as the Mediterranean or North Sea.

Related Topics:
Lord High Admiral - French Revolutionary - Napoleonic Wars - Mediterranean - North Sea

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In the 1930s the Royal Navy had no fewer than nine commanders-in-chief; today there are two - the Commander-in-Chief Fleet and the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command. It is intended that the two commands-in-chief will soon be combined under a single Commander-in-Chief Fleet, who will be, as now, separate from the professional head of the Navy, known as the First Sea Lord.

Related Topics:
1930s - Commander-in-Chief Fleet - Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command - First Sea Lord

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In the British Army, the office of General in Chief Command, later renamed Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, was instituted after the Restoration in 1660. Between 1672 and 1904, the title Commander-in-Chief was officially used for the general in charge of the Army, after which the title Chief of the General Staff was adopted. There existed also in times of war, and in places such as India, regional commanders-in-chief. In addition, colonial governors are and were usually appointed Commander-in-Chief in and over their colonies.

Related Topics:
British Army - Commander-in-Chief of the Forces - 1660 - 1672 - 1904 - Chief of the General Staff

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Canada

The situation in Canada as to the identity of the national Commander-in-Chief is slightly complex. The British North America Act of 1867 (now renamed the Constitution Act 1867) provides that: "The Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue to be vested in the Queen."

Related Topics:
British North America Act - 1867

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The Militia Act of 1904 provided that: "The Command-in-Chief of the Militia is declared to continue and be vested in the King, and shall be administered by His Majesty or by the Governor-General as his representative". Since that time Governors-General have been known by the title of "Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada". With the creation of Canadian naval and air forces in 1910 and 1919 respectively, the Governor-General gained command-in-chief over those forces as well.

Related Topics:
1904 - 1910 - 1919

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It is therefore safe to say that the Sovereign of Canada, presently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is the national Commander-in-Chief, but the Governor-General is by law authorised to perform that role on her behalf, but only on advice of the Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
Queen Elizabeth II - Advice - Prime Minister

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Australia

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia provides that: "The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen's representative".

Related Topics:
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia - Governor-General

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New Zealand

The Governor-General is designated in the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor-General 1983 and the Defence Act 1990 as "Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief". Although the Defence Act refers to the powers of the office none are descibed and this is left to common law, royal prerogative and administrational and operational practice.

Related Topics:
Governor-General - Common law - Royal prerogative

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Hong Kong

When Hong Kong was a British colony the Governor was the Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong, although there was also a Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. (After the transfer of sovereignty the commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison are PLA personnel from the mainland.)

Related Topics:
Governor - British Forces in Hong Kong - Transfer of sovereignty - People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison - Mainland

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