QVC Commissariat Staff button by Smith & Wright.

QVC Commissariat Staff button by Smith & Wright. Large 25mm brass button in great condition.
In the Victorian British Army, the Commissariat Staff was essentially the army’s logistics and supply corps.
They were responsible for making sure soldiers were fed, clothed, equipped, and—crucially—paid, but they did not fight on the front line.

The Commissariat was a long-established branch of the British Army, originating in the 17th century.
The Commissariat Staff were uniformed but not combat soldiers—often coming from civilian backgrounds like merchants, accountants, or administrators.

The Commissariat Staff’s responsibilities included:

Food Supply
Procuring, storing, and issuing rations for soldiers, horses, and other animals.
Organising supply lines from Britain or colonial depots to the army in the field.
Maintaining contracts with local suppliers during campaigns.

Transport & Equipment
Arranging shipping of troops, animals, artillery, and supplies overseas.
Securing transport animals (mules, oxen, camels) or wagons for land operations.
Ensuring tents, uniforms, and camp equipment reached units.

3. Pay & Financial Administration
Issuing soldiers’ pay and keeping pay records.
Managing accounts for the army’s expenditures.
Auditing and maintaining financial discipline in supply contracts.

4. Stores & Ammunition (non-ordnance)
Overseeing storage depots for food, forage, fuel, and general stores.
Liaising with the separate Ordnance Department for weapons and ammunition.


Because they were a civil branch, they ranked differently from combat officers, using titles like Deputy Commissary, Assistant Commissary, or Commissary-General.
Their rank did not translate directly to combat officer ranks, which sometimes led to friction.

Crimean War (1853–1856)
The Commissariat was heavily criticised for logistical failures during the harsh winter at Sebastopol, when troops suffered from shortages of food, fuel, and winter clothing.These failings, however, were partly due to structural issues—civilian Commissariat officers had no authority over military transport or labour units, making it hard to move supplies even when they were available.

Main Function Procurement, storage, and distribution of food, forage, clothing, equipment.
Civil branch of the army (non-combat) until later merged into military service corps.

Code: 64892