RAOC CORPS HISTORY
Timeline 1299 to 1945
The Royal Army Ordnance Corps – a background history
The long and complex history of RAOC stretches back to at least 1299 when the Keeper of the Kings Wardrobe in the Tower of London was given responsibility for Warlike Equipment and Military Expenditure. This pre-dates the foundation of the British Army as a standing force in 1660 but throughout the centuries an over-riding consideration has been the need for control over procurement, storage and the issue of weapons, ammunition and fortifications.
From 1415 the Master of Ordnance was established and until the mid-19th Century he had responsibility for supplying British artillery, engineers, field hospitals, military supplies and much more besides. The all-officer Ordnance Stores Department (OSD) was created in 1875 and from 1881 it was supported by soldiers in a new Ordnance Store Corps (OSC). Subsequently titled the Army Ordnance Department (AOD) and Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) respectively. In 1918 the officers and soldiers of AOD and AOC were brought together into a new Corps and granted the title ‘Royal’ in recognition of their WW1 service. WW2 led to an unprecedented expansion of the work of the RAOC as vast depots sprang up at home and abroad to accommodate the huge stockpiles of ammunition, stores, and equipment and new field force units were created to support the much enlarged Army deployed around the world in every theatre of War.
1299
The Attiliator, or Keeper of the Kings Wardrobe, was appointed. He was responsible for War Equipment and Military Expenditure.
1347
Cannon were first used at Siege of Calais
1518
The Board of Ordnance is created to see that in war, camp, have sufficient munitions. To take charge of all ammunition, cannon, side arms and warlike stores generally. To park and guard such stores and arrange for the issue of such munitions as my be required.
1702
John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough Master of Ordnance
1818
Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington – Master General of Ordnance
1855
Board of Ordnance abolished by Royal Letter Patent and taken over by the War Office.
1865
Formation of the Military Store Staff Corps, consisting of NCOs and enlisted men only.
1875 – 1881
The Military Store Department and the Military Store Staff Corps redesignated “The Ordnance Store Department and Corps”.
1896
The Ordnance Store Department and Corps redesignated “The Army Ordnance Department and Corps”.
1914 – 1918
By the end of WW1 the AOC and AOD numbered well over 40,000 and had supported the British and Empire forces in every theatre of operations.
1918
The Army Ordnance Department and Army Ordnance Corps becomes “The Royal Army Ordnance Corps”.
1921
H.R.H. The Duke of York appointed Colonel in Chief. He retained his appointment on his accession to the throne in 1936.
1942
The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), formed initially from the Engineering Branch of the RAOC, to undertake repair and maintenance of weapons and armoured vehicles.
1939 – 1945
WW2 led to an unprecedented expansion of the work of the RAOC as vast depots sprang up at home and abroad.
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