The purchase of officer commissions in the British Army was a common practice through most of its history. Essentially, the commission purchase price was a cash bond for good behaviour, forfeited to the Army’s cashiers (accountants) in the event of cowardice, desertion or gross misbehaviour. The practice started in 1683 during the reign of Charles II and continued until abolished on 1 November 1871, as part of the Cardwell Reforms.