"pe.rhodes" wrote
R. Kipling 1892 - poem Tommy
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' Tommy, go away
But it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play.

Question,
#1 In 1770s, Brit recruited soldiers, once signed up,
they were in for life.
About when did this change to a set number of years?

#2 In 1770s, commisioned positions were for sale.
All higher positions/promotions were for sale at
succesively higher prices
(generally - person had to serve 'successfully' at
a lower rank to buy a top rank position).
About when, and through what major stages
did this process change to merit?