Lance Corporal (rank)

British L/Cpl. stripe

Lance-Corporal, also abbreviate to L/Cpl, is a military rank in the British Army, Royal Marines and other armed forces around the world. It is typically the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer between private and corporal. According to the British Army Website, “Promotion to Lance Corporal may follow after Phase 2 Training or after about 3 years as a private. Lance Corporals are required to supervise a small team of up to four soldiers called a section. They also have opportunities to specialise and undertake specialist military training.”

As described in Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases (1925) “The name comes from the Italian "lancia-spezzata" - the term in the Middle Ages for a trooper who had lost his lance or horse in action, and until supplied with a fresh weapon or mount, had to serve with the infantry. Horsemen being considered superior beings, pending his reinstatement, the lancia-spezzata ("lance" was also a synonymous term for "trooper") received higher pay than his new infantry comrades, and was employed usually as assistant to the corporals of his company. Thus the title and grade of lance-corporal came in originally. The word "lance" for "acting" was later extended to sergeants as a convenient term.”

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War.

This compendium forms the central hub of words, phrases, people, and places relative to the Great War period of 1914–1918. These also include battles, political events, ships, trench slang, British and American service terms and expressions in everyday use, nicknames, sobriquets, the titles of British and Commonwealth Regiments and their origins, and also warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used, some of which may seem derogatory by today's standards. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

Browse other terms: Top – A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z