The Master-General of the Ordnance (MGO) was an important British military position before 1855, when its duties were largely abolished. Usually held by a serving General, the Master-General of the Ordnance was responsible for all British artillery, engineers, fortifications, military supplies, and much else, and was not subordinate to the Commander in Chief, the titular head of the British military. The position was frequently a cabinet level one, especially in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Board of Ordnance, which had its headquarters in the Tower of London, was abolished in 1855, but the title of Master-General still exists as the title of the Fourth Military Member of the Army Board , who oversees procurement and research and development and usually holds the rank of Lieutenant General.
James Douglas, 4th Duke of HamiltonJames Douglas, 4th Duke of Hamilton ( 1658- 1712), eldest son of William Douglas, Duke of Hamilton and of Duchess Anne, succeeded his mother, who resigned the dukedom to him in 1698, and at the accession of Queen Anne he was regarded as leader of the Scot 1712
William Cadogan, 1st Earl CadoganWilliam Cadogan, 1st Earl Cadogan ( 1672 1726) was a noted military officer in the army of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough during the War of the Spanish Succession. He commanded the prestigious Grenadier Guards for some time. Cadogan was the son o 1722–1725
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of ArgyllJohn Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll and 1st Duke of Greenwich ( October 10, 1678 October 4, 1743) was a Scottish soldier and nobleman. His titles were extremely high in the precedence of the Scottish peerage. Born in Petersham, Surrey, Campbell succeeded hi 1725–1740
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of MontaguJohn Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu ( 1689 1749), in 1745 raised a cavalry regiment known as Montagu's Carabineers, which, however, was disbanded after Culloden. He was made a KG in 1719, and was a fellow of the Royal Society. As neither of his two sons sur 1740–1742
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of ArgyllJohn Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll and 1st Duke of Greenwich ( October 10, 1678 October 4, 1743) was a Scottish soldier and nobleman. His titles were extremely high in the precedence of the Scottish peerage. Born in Petersham, Surrey, Campbell succeeded hi 1742
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of MontaguJohn Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu ( 1689 1749), in 1745 raised a cavalry regiment known as Montagu's Carabineers, which, however, was disbanded after Culloden. He was made a KG in 1719, and was a fellow of the Royal Society. As neither of his two sons sur 1742–1749
vacant 1749–1755
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough 1755–1758
vacant 1758–1759
John Ligonier, 1st Viscount LigonierJohn (Jean Louis) Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier KB, PC ( 1680 1770) was a British military officer. He was born to a Huguenot family of Castres in the south of France, and who emigrated to England at the close of the 17th century. He entered the army as a v 1759–1763
