War Department - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition war-department

Definition :

War Department, a department for which the sovereign issues orders to his forces. This department was formerly united with the Colonial Office under an official called the 'Secretary at War,' who was not a Secretary of State; but an additional Secretary of State was appointed, for affairs of war solely, in the year 1854. [See the (English) War Office Act, 1870 (33 & 34 Vict. c. 17)]

By the (English) Army (Annual) Act (9 Edw. 7, c. 3), certain powers formerly exercisable by the Secretary of State, and all powers of the Commander-in-Chief and the Adjutant-General under the Army Act, were transferred to the Army Council. See ARMY COUNCIL.