History
The introduction of gunpowder to Europe led to innovations in offensive weapons such as cannon and defences such as fortifications. In the 1370s, to manage the new technology, the royal household appointed a courtier to administer weapons, arsenals and castles. The office and main arsenal were located in the White Tower of the Tower of London. The earliest known Master of Ordnance was Nicholas Merbury, appointed about 1415-1420 by Henry V of England. Merbury was present at the Battle of Agincourt. The Office of Ordnance was created by Henry VIII of England in 1544 and became the Board of Ordnance in 1597, its principal duties being to supply guns, ammunition, stores and equipment to the King's Navy.
The Board of Ordnance consisted of six principal officers:
- Master-General of the Ordnance (head of the board)
- Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance
- Surveyor-General of the Ordnance
- Clerk of the Ordnance
- Storekeeper of the Ordnance
- Clerk of the Deliveries of the Ordnance
In 1830, the principal officers were reduced to four by the abolition of the posts of Lieutenant-General and Clerk of the Deliveries.
The Treasurer of the Ordnance was also an important officer of the department, although he did not sit on the board. This office was consolidated with several others in 1836 to form that of Paymaster-General. A number of other inferior officers reported to the board, such as clerks, storekeepers, engineers, and master gunners.
Issues of performance in the Crimean War, especially disastrous lack of due provision for operations during the Russian winter of 1854 brought about the Board's demise in 1855.
As a result of enquiries made into the breakdown of transport and hospital arrangements during the first winter of the war, the Board of Ordnance, which had been in existence for four hundred years, was abolished, and the Artillery together with the Royal Engineers came directly under the Commander-in-Chief and the War Office like the rest of the Army.
The former board was incorporated into the War Office by an 1855 Act of Parliament (18 & 19 Vict. c. 117) as the Department of the Master-General of the Ordnance.
Read more about this topic: Board Of Ordnance
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