John Le Marchant (British Army Cavalry Officer) - Founder of The First British Military College

Founder of The First British Military College

With the exception of the specialist instruction school for artillery officers at Woolwich no institution for the education of military officers existed in Britain. In 1801, after overcoming considerable opposition on the grounds of cost, Le Marchant's scheme for establishing at High Wycombe and Great Marlow schools for the military instruction of officers was sanctioned by Parliament, and a grant of £30,000 was voted for the Royal Military College, the two original departments being afterwards combined and removed to Sandhurst. The military schools had two functions; first was in the instruction of serving officers in the functions of the efficient staff-officer, and second was the schooling of youngsters before they gained an officer's commission. Le Marchant was the first lieutenant-governor, and during the nine years that he held this appointment he trained many officers who served with distinction under Wellington in the Peninsula War. It is notable that a number of quite senior officers, such as General Robert Ballard Long, attended courses at the college in order to improve their military knowledge. This college was one of the forerunners of the current Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 1804 Le Marchant received the personal thanks of King George who said "The country is greatly indebted to you."

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