Featured Topic: British Field Marshals

Spotlight: Capturing Britain’s Field Marshals

The Heroes in Focus Archive, captured by acclaimed portrait photographer Rory Lewis, features two exceptional and historically significant portrait sittings of British Field Marshals—the most senior rank in the British Army, held by only 138 individuals since its creation in 1736 by King George II.

These portraits represent more than military grandeur—they are carefully constructed visual documents that preserve tradition, honor leadership, and spark public understanding of Britain's military heritage.

What Is a Field Marshal?

A Field Marshal is the highest possible rank in the British Army—above General and often regarded as a five-star equivalent in today’s global military structures. Traditionally bestowed in times of national conflict or as a rare ceremonial honor, it signifies ultimate authority in strategic command.

Today, the rank is largely honorary, conferred upon senior military leaders or members of the Royal Family as a mark of distinguished service and symbolic continuity with Britain’s military past.

Why the Baton?

One of the most recognizable elements of the Field Marshal’s identity is the Field Marshal’s Baton—a short, richly adorned staff that symbolizes supreme command and imperial tradition. The use of the baton dates back to ancient Rome, where commanders were granted a staff to signify authority granted by the emperor.

The British Field Marshal’s Baton carries this tradition forward. Covered in red velvet and topped with a golden figure of Saint George slaying the dragon, it bears a personal inscription from the reigning monarch. It is not a weapon or ornament—it is a symbol of honor, legacy, and sovereign trust.

Two Iconic Portraits

In 2017, Rory Lewis captured Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff, whose military career spanned the Welsh Guards, SAS, and advisory leadership during the Bosnian and Kosovo conflicts. Inspired by the classical works of Sir Thomas Lawrence and John Singer Sargent, Rory created a powerful, neoclassical portrait using dramatic lighting and a red velvet backdrop to evoke the fire, blood, and strength associated with military service.

More recently, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who has held the rank of Field Marshal since 1993, sat for a portrait at St James’s Palace in London. Wearing full No.2 Service Dress, His Royal Highness was captured in a series of composed, solemn expressions that reflect both his military status and decades of service to the Crown.

These portraits are not simply images—they are visual tributes to duty, leadership, and legacy, ensuring that the stories of Britain’s highest-ranking military figures endure.

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📸 Captured by Rory Lewis, Founder, Heroes in Focus Foundation