Commissariat: Evolution of Military, Police, and Religious Administration
A commissariat is a specialized department or organization commanded by a commissary or a corps of commissaries. While the term is most frequently associated with military logistics, its meaning varies significantly depending on the institutional context—ranging from police administration and national mobilization to the internal governance of religious orders.
Key Facts
- Military Definition: A department responsible for providing food and forage for troops, though typically excluding ammunition.
- Police Definition: In several countries, a commissariat is a police station led by a commissary (a specific police rank).
- British History: Evolved from a Treasury-controlled civilian service to a formal military branch (the Army Service Corps).
- Soviet/Russian Role: Local agencies focused on mobilization, manpower records, and drafting.
- Religious Context: A semi-autonomous division within Roman Catholic orders, particularly among Franciscans.
Military Logistics and the British Army
In many military structures, commissaries serve as logistics officers. The commissariat is specifically charged with the provision of supplies, such as food and forage. It is important to note that military stores like ammunition generally fall outside the duties of a commissariat, although transport and supply are often managed by the same corps.
The 17th and 18th Centuries
The British Army's approach to supply was initially fragmented. In 1685, James II appointed John Shales as the Commissary General of provisions. Shales was responsible for sourcing and issuing food and forage, regulating sutlers (civilian merchants who followed armies), and procuring transport wagons and drivers. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the role continued briefly before the appointment lapsed in 1694.
Throughout much of the 18th century, supply arrangements were devolved to individual regiments using civilian contractors. Centralized control was limited to the HM Treasury, which authorized spending. This changed in 1793 during the war with France, leading to the appointment of a Commissary-General for Britain and the establishment of District Commissaries, marking the start of a permanent system on the British mainland.
19th Century Transformation
By 1809, a Commissary-in-chief was appointed to oversee both home and foreign services. At this time, the Commissariat remained a department of the HM Treasury, staffed by uniformed civilians subject to military discipline. They provided food, fuel, forage, and barrack stores, while the Board of Ordnance handled arms and ammunition.
The organization was split into two branches: Stores and Accounts. Because transport was poorly managed within the Stores Branch, the Commander-in-chief eventually created the separate Royal Waggon Train. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the department's role shifted. By 1822, the Stores Branch moved to the Board of Ordnance, and the Commissariat became primarily a financial office. The "Commissariat Chest" functioned as a banking service for public services in British colonies, allowing funds to be transferred between dependencies like Canada, Australia, and China without physical remittance.
The system's inefficiency became apparent during the Crimean War, leading the War Office to take control of military functions in 1854. In 1869, the service transitioned from uniformed civilians to commissioned Army officers. After various reorganizations, it finally became the Army Service Corps in 1888.
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Global and Institutional Variations
Soviet and Russian Military Commissariats
In the Soviet and modern Russian armies, the military commissariat operates as a local administrative agency. Its primary functions include executing mobilization plans, maintaining manpower and economic resource records, providing pre-military training, and managing the draft and reserves.
Penal Colonies in Australia
In early penal colonies such as New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania), the Commissariat Department managed the needs of convicts, military garrisons, and naval victualing. Because the colonies were not initially self-sufficient in food, commissary officers—under military governors—administered all stores. This expanded role continued until 1855, after which it focused only on military forces, remaining convicts, and lunatics. The department was abolished in New South Wales in 1870.
Religious and Cultural Usage
The term also appears in non-military contexts. In the Roman Catholic Church, specifically among Franciscan Orders, a Commissariat is a semi-autonomous division. It is less established than a full Province but may develop into one, or it may serve a specific group (such as those separated by language) more effectively. The leader of this division is called the Commissary.
Additionally, the term is utilized among Indian Zoroastrians.
Summary of Commissariat Types
| Sector | Primary Function | Key Authority/Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Military (General) | Food, forage, and logistics | Commissary / Commissary General |
| Police | Police station administration | Commissary (Rank) |
| Soviet/Russian | Mobilization and drafting | Local Administrative Agency |
| Roman Catholic | Semi-autonomous order division | Commissary (Religious Superior) |
| Colonial (Australia) | Convict and garrison supplies | Commissary Officers |
Commissariat in Popular Culture
The term appears in the "Major General's Song" from Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. The Major-General claims to know "precisely what is meant by commissariat" as a sign of his military expertise. This is widely viewed as a satire of 19th-century British officers' lack of practical knowledge, or perhaps a nod to the confusing administrative changes the Commissariat was undergoing at the time the work was performed in 1878.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a military commissariat handle weapons and ammunition?
Generally, no. In the British Army, for example, the commissariat was responsible for food, fuel, and forage, while arms and ammunition were the responsibility of the Board of Ordnance.
What is the difference between a Province and a Commissariat in religious orders?
A Commissariat is a semi-autonomous body that is considered less viable or established than a full Province, though it has the potential to grow into one.
How did the British Commissariat function as a bank?
Through the "Commissariat Chest," the department managed funds for foreign expenditures, allowing the British government to pay for services in colonies via account transfers rather than shipping physical currency.
What is the role of a commissariat in the modern Russian Army?
It serves as a local agency responsible for military mobilization, maintaining manpower records, conducting pre-military training, and managing the draft.
Was the British Commissariat always part of the Army?
No. For a significant period, it was a department of the HM Treasury staffed by uniformed civilians before transitioning to commissioned Army officers in 1869.