Skip to main content

RAOC CORPS HISTORY

Timeline 1299 to 1945

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps – a background history

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”.

rlc museum archives

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.

LATEST RAOC NEWS & EVENTS

RAOC Salisbury Branch outing

On Thursday 26th September 2024, members of the Salisbury branch met at Salisbury Cathedral for a tour up the tower. The tour was two hours…

The Royal Logistic Corps

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.