Milsurp After Hours

Niner Delta wrote:Just curious..........
You have the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, why not Royal Army instead of just Army?

Vern.

You have the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, why not Royal Army instead of just Army?

In the 17th century occurred what is known here as "The Great Civil War," between the King and Parliament. Parliament won and, in 1649, King Charles I was executed. Eleven years later, the monarchy was restored, in the person of his son, King Charles II. Although Charles II had agreed to accept the powers of Parliament in the Declaration of Breda, there were many who were suspicious. They thought that he might say one thing and then, after being restored to the throne, return to his father's policies. The navy supported Charles, but large parts of the army did not. This was perhaps not surprising, as the army of the time was very much the creation of Parliament and, in particular, of Oliver Cromwell. When Charles was restored to the throne, he proclaimed that, because of its support for him, the navy would henceforth be called the "Royal Navy." Regarding the army, he said nothing. This is why to this day, it is the "Royal Navy," but only the "British Army." The Royal Air Force, which came into being in 1918, had the royal title bestowed by King George V. During Colonial times, the British Army was allowed to use Queen Anne's Red Ensign, however, they were still not considered a "Royal" service.