Royal Corps of Military Surveyors and Draftsmen was a British military corps under the Board of Ordnance formally established in 1800 and disbanded in 1817. [1] It was one of the predecessors of the Ordnance Survey. [2]
Royal Corps of Military Surveyors and Draftsmen was a British military corps under the Board of Ordnance formally established in 1800 and disbanded in 1817. [1] It was one of the predecessors of the Ordnance Survey. [2]
The royal warrant to establish the corps was signed in 1800, making the civilian staff of the Drawing Room at the Tower of London a military corps. It was believed that a militarization of the staff would increase its efficacy. [3] In reality, the corps was not formed until 1805. [4] In 1813 it was confirmed by law that the corps as well as other corps of the military establishment of the Ordnance Board was subject to the Mutiny Act. [5]
Duties of the corps was to make surveys and drawings, both in Britain and abroad, particularly as part of the Trigonometrical Survey. [4]
Each officer was appointed by a warrant from the Master General of Ordnance; the cadets being appointed by letter. [3]
The corps was disbanded in 1817 and its officers put on half-pay.