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four stripes or chevrons worn on the right
sleeve of his uniform and surmounted by a GUN SALUTES
crown. In 1881 the Sergeant-Major were
given Warrant rank, thus becoming Warrant The origins of salutes fired with personal
Officers, as they are commonly known today. weapons, field pieces or ships’ cannons are a
Second-Lieutenent were in a class of their little obscure. Noise has long been a form of
own and known as “sulbaltern”, derived from celebration and it is perhaps for this reason
Latin word “sub” meaning under and the that firearms were adopted as a means of
German or Saxon word “altern” meaning salute. Another possible explanation that has
elder – thereby signifying juniors. However been advanced suggests that the salute was
present day usage groups all junior Officers originally a signal of trust originating around
as sulbalterns. the fourteenth century. In the days of muzzle
loading cannons, it took a while to reload a
Lieutenant comes from the French word ship’s armament once it had been fired. Thus,
“lieu”, in place of, ad “tenant” – Latin tenens, when approaching a foreign port or another
holding or one who holds the place or friendly ship, all of the cannons on board
deputises for another. A Lieutenant, of would be fired to show that they were empty
course, is the Officer next below a captain and posed no threat. As the weapons could
and deputises for him. This deputising by not fire again in a hurry, this action also
Lieutenant also holds for Lieutenant-General demonstrated that those aboard trusted those
and Lieutenant-Colonel. The oldest of all on land or in the other vessel not to open fire
military titles is that of Captain. It comes on them. In time, this practice was adopted as
from the Spanish word “Captain” which is a way to honour dignitaries and at some stage
once again derived from the Latin word also passed into use on land. The salute today
“Caput” a head. It has many non-military is not fired in one large burst of gunfire but
applications; for instance the Captain of rather as a rolling volley, where one gun fires
Industry”. But even in the military sphere the after another. This modification is said to
term once applied a great power of command have originated in less chivalrous, more
and a greater importance than today. The pragmatic times. By firing one gun after
term “General” is of Roman origin and another a symbolic salute could be fired to
denotes one who was in general command, honour a VIP, but still leave guns loaded so
the “Captain-General” being the highest of as not to leave the vessel totally defenceless.
he general staff.
A specific number of guns is fired to honour
QUARTER GUARD VIPs in accordance with their status. Royalty
and heads of state receive a 21 gun salute,
Originally applied to the guard placed over Field Marshals, state officials and
quarters (barrack, billets or camps) to prevent equivalents receive a 19 gun salute; Generals
any disturbance within the quarters. They and equivalents receive 17, and so on down
always faced inwards. to 11 for a Brigadier.