Fieldcornet (Afrikaans:veldkornet) is a term formerly used inSouth Africa for either alocal governmentofficial or amilitary officer.
The office had its origins in the position ofveldwachtmeester in theDutch Cape colony, and was regarded as being equivalent to a sergeant. The British administration enhanced its importance with the term field cornet, making it equivalent to an officer's rank.
The term was used for acivilian official in a local government district (drostdy) of theCape Colony, acting as and invested with the authority of amilitary officer and empowered to act as amagistrate.[1] The field cornet was subject to thelanddrost of the district and acted as his representative. As such, a field cornet performed important functions in administrative,judicial andpolice matters. In addition, in peacetime the field cornet was the head of themilitia, was responsible for maintaining law and order in his area, and was tasked with supervising the handover of postal items on arrival in his district.[1]
The term later came to denote amilitary rank equivalent to that of alieutenant in theBoerarmies as well as in theSouth African Army between 1960[1] and 1968.[2][3] Asecond lieutenant was referred to as anassistant field cornet.[2]
The termfield cornet replaced the wordadjutant in thecommando organisation in 1968.[2]
The title of field-cornet disappeared finally as a civil office and was replaced by 'justice of the peace'. In 1960 the military rank was restored and took the place of lieutenant, to denote an officer of a particular rank in the South African army, but only in the land forces. The former second lieutenant now became assistant field-cornet.
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