EXAMINATION OF R.A. SENIORITY AND DISTRIBUTION LISTS. 479 
Sir H. Brackenbury became a Major-General in less than 80 years. 
Lord Roberts became a Major-General in less than 27 years. 
The quickest promotion to the rank of Colonel is— 
Colonel Rundle in 17; years, age 38. 
followed by Colonel F. Slade in 173, years, age 3875 
and Colonel Wodehouse in 173, years, age 375, 
The oldest officer in the Regiment is Sir J. Abbott, born March 
12th, 1807. General Abbott received his 1st commission in June, 
1823, nearly 73 years ago. 
His length of service will be best understood perhaps by a few com- 
parisons. 
(l.) He had 6 years service before any officer (except Field- 
Marshals) on the active list of the British Army was 
born. 
(2.) Ont of 31 Colonels-Commandts. in the Regiment no less than 
18 were not born when General Abbott got his commission. 
(3.) When I was in South Africa in 1888 my then Major 
(Colonel R. F. Williams) got his commission 2 years 
before I was born. The General there (Sir H. Smyth) 
got his commission the same year Colonel Williams was 
born, but General Abbott had his commission 2} years 
before General Sir H. Smyth was born ! 
There are 7 Colonels-Commandant,on the Bengal List, their average 
service is well over 57} years ! 
General Sir J. Abbott served at the siege and capture of Bhurtpore 
in 1825-6, over 70 years ago. 
Generals Askwith and Sir C. Dickson were in action in Spain in 1833, 
as also General Gardiner in the Canadian Rebellion in 1838. 
The youngest officer, according to the Alphabetical List for J anuary 
quarter, 1896, is'2nd Lieutenant H. W. Gardiner, born on December 
26th, 1875. 
