Page 11 - They Also Served
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A SHORT HISTORY OF
THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY SANDHURST
Up until the end of the 18th century, there was only formal training for British Army artillery and engineer officers, leaving the majority as, at best, ‘gifted amateurs’. In 1799, Colonel John Le Marchant, all too aware of the disparity between his young officers and the French they were fighting, proposed a military academy for cavalry and infantry officers. This was accepted by the War Office, and the first group of gentleman cadets moved into a public house in Marlow in 1802 to commence their training.
The 660-acre Sandhurst Estate was
selected as the permanent site for the
new training school and, between 1801 and 1812, Old College was constructed. Sadly, Le Marchant was killed in action a few weeks before the college was completed. The first Sandhurst graduates were commissioned in time to take part in the latter
Old College
Colonel John Le Marchant
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