Lance-Sergeant

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A Lance-Sergeant (LSgt or L/Sgt) was a British Army Corporal acting in the rank of Sergeant. The appointment could be removed at will by the soldier's commanding officer, unlike a full rank, which could only be removed by court martial. Lance-Sergeants first appeared in the 19th century and were abolished in 1946, except in the Foot Guards and Honourable Artillery Company, which still retain them. In these regiments, all Corporals are automatically appointed Lance-Sergeant on their promotion, so Lance-Sergeants perform the same duties as Corporals in other regiments and are no longer really acting Sergeants in anything but name. Some cadet units also retained the rank in addition to Corporal into at least the 1980s. The Household Cavalry equivalent is Lance-Corporal of Horse.

Lance-Sergeants wear three rank chevrons. In full dress, Foot Guards Lance-Sergeants are distinguished from full Sergeants by their white chevrons (full Sergeants wearing gold).

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