field marshal

Field marshal is the highest rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of field marshal. It is a five-star rank, equivalent to the ranks in the other armed services of Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Australian Navy, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force. The subordinate army rank is general. Three of the four Australian field marshals were honorary appointments and Sir Thomas Blamey was on the retired list when he was proposed for the rank. Since retired officers cannot be promoted to field marshal rank, Blamey was recalled to active duty and promoted. Appointed Field Marshals Lord Birdwood, 1925