<
The Title ‘Scarlet Rod’ is from the characteristic insignia of the
office which is a long silver gilt rod. The shaft is covered with
scarlet enamel that signifies the mantles of the Knights and Dames
Grand Cross of the Order.
The holders of the office have been senior military members since
1900. In 1932, the first RAF appointment held the position. Since
then, the Armed Services takes turns from which branch Scarlet Rod
comes from.
The officer is addressed and referred to as Scarlet Rod. He takes
the fifth precedence among the brother officers of the Order,
following the Genealogist and before the Deputy Secretary.
The Order of the Bath is one of the five Orders of Chivalry along
with the Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, Order of St
Michael and St George and Order of the British Empire.
The current Scarlet Rod is Major General Charles G. C. Vyvyan, CB,
CBE. He is a retired British Army officer and was appointed in July
2006.
Photo credit: Michael Garnett via
photopin cc
]]>
