complete set of rank badges was used by the British Army. Colonel: Two rows of half inch laces in collar with Crown and Bath star. Lieutenant Colonel: Two rows of half inch laces in collar with Crown. Major: Two rows of half inch laces in collar with Bath star. Captain: One row of half inch lace on the top of collar with Crown and Bath star. Lieutenant: One row of half inch lace on the top of collar with Crown. Ensign/Sub Lieutenant: One row of half inch lace on the top of collar with Bath star. In April 1880, rank badges were moved from collar to shoulder and officers of all regiments wore the following rank badges. Colonel: Crown and two Bath stars. Lieutenant Colonel: Crown and one Bath star. Major: Crown. Captain: Two Bath stars. Lieutenant: One Bath star. Second Lieutenant: No device. In May 1902, the rank badges issued in 1880 were slightly modified. Captain: Three Bath stars. Lieutenant: Two Bath stars. Second Lieutenant: One Bath star. In 1919, a new order was issued by the Horse Guards office—all Guards officers would wear special star badges. Grenadier Guards: Garter star. Coldstream Guards: Garter star. Scots Guards: Thistle star. Irish Guards: Shamrock star Welsh Guards: Garter star. During World War I, some officers took to wearing tunics with the rank badges on the shoulder, as the cuff badges made them too conspicuous to snipers. This practice was frowned on outside the trenches but was given official sanction in 1917 as an optional alternative, being made permanent in 1920, when the cuff badges were abolished. Historical insignia Historical ranks Captain-general (c. 17th century): a full general. Sergeant-major-general (c. 17th century): shortened to major general. Captain-lieutenant (c. 17th & 18th century): the lieutenant of the first company in a regiment, whose captaincy was held by the regimental colonel. On promotion to full captain, the period in this rank was treated as having been a full captain for pay and pension purposes, since he effectively commanded the company. Ensign: lowest subaltern rank in infantry regiments; replaced in 1871 by second lieutenant, but still used to refer to second lieutenants in some Guards regiments. Cornet: cavalry equivalent of ensign replaced in 1871 by second lieutenant, but still used to refer to second lieutenants in some cavalry regiments, including the Blues and Royals and The Queen's Royal Hussars. See also British Army other ranks