designation "chosen man", used during the Napoleonic Wars, was possibly a precursor to the rank. The first mention of a lance corporal in The Times is in 1819, although the first mention in the London Gazette is not until 1831. The first mention in the London Gazette of a lance corporal in the Royal Marines is in 1838.

Until 1 September 1961, lance corporal and lance bombardier were only appointments rather than substantive