U.K. Military Trivia

1. Charles Davis Lucas was a junior officer in the Royal Navy when he was awarded the very first Victoria Cross, but in which theatre of the Crimean War was he serving when he received it?

From Quiz For Valour: Recipients of the Victoria Cross

Answer: Baltic Sea

Charles Davis Lucas was born in 1834 in Poyntzpass, a town in County Armagh in Ireland. At the age of 13, he joined the Royal Navy, initially serving aboard the Second Rate Ship of the Line HMS Vengeance. By the time he reached the age of 20, he had reached the grade of "passed midshipman", meaning he was ranked as a midshipman, but had passed the lieutenant's examination and was awaiting the opening of a vacancy for promotion. During this period, he was assigned to the paddlewheel steam sloop HMS Hecla, under the command of Captain William Hutcheon Hall, which was undertaking reconnaissance work in the Baltic Sea as part of British operations during the Crimean War. On 21 June 1854, HMS Hecla, alongside two other ships, was undertaking a bombardment of a fort on the island of Åland called Bomarsund. During this action, in which the fort was returning fire against the British squadron, a live shell landed on Hecla's deck with its fuse still alight. Although the deck crew were ordered to take cover, Lucas instead ran and grabbed the shell, throwing it into the sea where it exploded before hitting the water. Lucas's action ensured that no member of the ship's company was killed or seriously wounded and saw him immediately promoted to lieutenant by his ship's captain. Eighteen months later, a new decoration for valour was instituted - the Victoria Cross. Backdated to the start of the Crimean War, Lucas's actions aboard HMS Hecla saw him become chronologically the first person to be awarded the new decoration when he received his medal on 24 February 1857.

From Quiz The Sovereign's Bodyguard

Answer: Henry VIII

The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms was founded by Henry VIII following his accession in 1509. Originally named as the "Troop of Gentlemen", the corps was intended by the King to serve as his nearest personal guard, formed by cadets (younger sons) from noble families and the highest levels of the gentry, as opposed to the bodyguard founded by his father, which was made up of yeomen. The Troop of Gentlemen saw action at the Battle of the Spurs during the King's expedition to France in 1513, as well as accompanying him to the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, both of which were subsequently adopted by the corps as battle honours. As a body of men from the aristocracy, the Troop of Gentlemen was able to be used as a cadre of officers for service overseas when required.

From Quiz Guardians of the Monarch

Answer: Henry VII

King Henry VII gained his throne through his victory at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485. Although he had a group of armed retainers that served as his close protection on the battlefield, his tenuous grip on power led to him forming a dedicated body of men to serve as his personal guards in peace and war. The "Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard" was formed and made its first public appearance at the King's coronation on 30 October 1485. The Yeomen of the Guard has served every sovereign since, including in battle as recently as the Battle of Dettingen in June 1743, but its most famous duty today is to search the cellars of the Houses of Parliament before the State Opening, which commemorates the discovery of Guy Fawkes and thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.

From Quiz British Institutions - The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Answer: King Charles II

In 1681 King Charles II signed the warrant authorising the construction of a hospital for those in his service 'broken by age or war'. The oldest part of the present day hospital is the Figure Court which was started in 1682, its existing Doric style columns, colonnade, panel work and benches are all original and contemporary with this date. The central position in the court is occupied by a statue of King Charles II in the guise of a Roman emperor. The statue was designed and cast by British/Dutch sculptor Grinling Gibbons, an artist responsible for many fine works which can be found at a number of British stately homes and public buildings which date from the late seventeenth century. Originally gilded, the seven foot six inch statue was presented to the King during 1682 and moved to its current site at the Royal Hospital after the King's death in 1685.

From Quiz Major Tom

Answer: Green

The green beret was introduced during World War Two as a uniform headdress for soldiers in commando units who had previously kept the headdress of their former regiment. The colour green was chosen as it was a colour featured in No. 1 Commando's insignia. To be allowed to wear the green beret soldiers must pass either the Royal Marines recruit/officer training, for those wishing to serve in the Royal Marines, or the All Arms Commando Course for other service personnel attached to the Royal Marines.

From Quiz The Black Watch

Answer: Scotland

The 'Black Watch' was originally an informal term used to describe independent militias raised in the Scottish Highlands in 1725 by General George Wade. The aim of these forces was to be on the "watch" for crime and the "black" part of their description is likely to have come from the dark blue and green tartan used in their uniforms. While these Independent Highland Companies went on to become part of the official British Army in 1739 as the 43rd (and later 42nd) Highland Regiment of Foot, General Wade also got a promotion. He became a Field Marshal in 1743, was installed as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in 1745 and even (briefly) given his own verse in the National Anthem!

From Quiz The Victoria Cross

Answer: George Cross

The George Cross is the highest gallantry award for civilians. It can be awarded to members of the military if the action concerned was not purely military and which also precluded a military decoration.

From Quiz The Grenadier Guards

Answer: 1656

The regiment was formed in 1656 by Charles II whilst in exile following the execution of his father, Charles I. After his defeat by Oliver Cromwell's forces at the battle of Worcester, Charles II was forced to flee to France.

From Quiz A Melange of Military Motto's

Answer: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense

'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense' or 'Shamed be he who thinks evil of it' is a phrase taken from Middle French and has appeared on the royal coat of arms and the regalia of the Most Noble Order of the Garter since the 14th century. On the occasion of its amalgamation with the Royal Hampshire Regiment in 1992, the Queens Regiment was renamed the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment. The Coldstream Guards, the oldest regiment in the regular army, were formed at Coldstream in Scotland in 1650. Although they are the older regiment, the Coldstream Guards are second in precedence to the Grenadier Guards as that regiment has been in service to the crown for a longer period. This motto is also used by some units of the armies of the Commonwealth, the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Royal Australian Engineers being two examples.

From Quiz Queen's Regulations - Decorations and Awards

Answer: 4

The four categories under which decorations and awards are made, are, in order of precedence: 1. Operational and non-operational awards for gallantry and distinguished service. 2. The New Year's and Sovereign's Birthday Honours Lists. 3. Medals for meritorious and long service and good conduct. 4. Medals for service in specific operations or operational areas. Examples of awards from under each of these headings will include, amongst others; The 'Victoria Cross' (VC) or the 'Conspicuous Gallantry Cross' (CGC) for acts of gallantry and distinguished service in operational areas. The 'George Cross' (GC) or the 'Air Force Cross' (AFC) for non-operational gallantry whilst not engaged in operations against an enemy. The New Year and Birthday Honours lists may include an elevation into the 'Order of the Bath' or the award of an OBE - making the holder an "Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". Medals presented for meritorious service and for good conduct are common to all three branches of the services and are made routinely, as are awards from the last category; Medals for service in a specified operation or operational area. This will include campaign medals such as those awarded for service in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. (QR.J10.001)

From Quiz Regiments of the British Army

Answer: The Royal Scots

The Royal Scots were formed from the 1st Regiment of Foot, the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army, having been raised in 1633. The nickname is a humorous reference to their great age.

From Quiz British Regiments

Answer: Honourable Artillery Company

The HAC were formed by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, although they can trace their history back to 1087.

From Quiz Her Majesty's Armed Forces' Traditions

Answer: Red dye was the cheapest

The wearing of red coats started during the English Civil War, with the New Model Army of Parliament needing to buy the cheapest kit possible for their soldiers. Blood does in fact show up on the red coats, but as a dark stain.

From Quiz British Military Nicknames and Abbreviations

Answer: The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

Also known in some circles as 'The Armoured Farmers', the Devon and Dorsets are more commonly referred to as 'The Janners'. This nickname is usually used to describe a native of the City of Plymouth in Devon, and in particular the name was given to someone from the Devonport area of that city.

From Quiz Royal Scots Greys - The Birdcatchers

Answer: 2

On 25 October 1854 the Regiment took part in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade. Sergeant Major Grieve and Private Ramage were both awarded VCs for their actions that day. The Sergeant Majors was for rescuing an officer - an event still celebrated in the Scots Dragoon Guards when the officers invite the sergeant majors to their mess on (or close to) the 25 October.

From Quiz The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment 1958 - 2007

Answer: Minden

Minden is a small town situated on the River Weser. Osnabruck is a city in Northern Germany, not too far from Minden and where the Battalion was posted in the late 1960s and again in the late 1970s. Bielefeld and Paderborn are both garrison towns within the same area.

From Quiz The 1st Battalion of British Infantry Regiments

Answer: The Battle of Balaklava

On the 25th of October 1854 the Regiment fought off an attack by the massed Russian cavalry. Correspondent for the Times newspaper, W.H. Russell, described the scene and because of this action the Russians abandoned their attempt at capturing Balaklava. The Battle of Alma took place on 20th of September 1854, The Battle of Inkerman took place on 5th of November 1854 and the siege of Sevastopol from September 1854 until September 1855.

From Quiz The British Army in the Peninsular War

Answer: Duke of Wellington

He was granted this title on his return to England in May 1814.

From Quiz The British: Military Mishaps in Empire Building

Answer: Monongahela

The engagement that took place on 9th July 1755 known as Braddock's Defeat, is also known as the battle of Monongahela. This was a battle in the French and Indian War. The outcome was a clear cut victory for the French and their Indian allies.

From Quiz A History of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards

Answer: Arran's Horse

The 4th Dragoon Guards were formed in 1685 (along with other dragoon regiments) from Troops of Horse raised by James II to defend London from the Monmouth Rebllion.

From Quiz The Chieftain Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Answer: Centurion

Although under powered the Chieftain was an excellent gun platform, and when used continuously the engine performed well.

From Quiz The Victoria Cross

Answer: For Valour

Originally the inscription was "For Bravery", but it was changed to avoid creating the impression that only holders of the VC were brave. In 1993 Canada established its own Victoria Cross and it has the Latin inscription "Pro Valore".

From Quiz All Things (British) Military : 2

Answer: £30,000

An Infantryman costs £30,000 to train, the selection process costs around £7,000 while the Basic Training and Combat Infantryman Course add on another £23,000.

From Quiz UK Coastguard

Answer: Southampton

As a result of a merger between The Marine Safety Agency (MSA) and the Coastguard Agency (TCA) in 1998, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency was formed and moved to Spring Palace in Southampton.

From Quiz British Army Cadets

Answer: Miss Octavia Hill

Miss Octavia Hill was a scout leader before she decided to form the 'current' Army Cadet Force.

From Quiz British Field Marshals

Answer: George Hamilton

King George II promoted him to this rank as he was the senior officer in the army. He left no male heirs.

From Quiz Britain At War

Answer: Napier

Allenby was the British field marshal who invaded Palestine and ended Turkish resistance in 1918. He was British high commissioner for Egypt 1919.The Allenby Bridge was named after him.- Moore was the leader of the land forces in the Falklands campaign.- Havelock (1795-1857)was a hero during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. He was responsible for the relief of Lucknow in that year, but died two months later. -Sir Charles Napier (1782-1853)was also in charge of the troops who suppressed the Chartist riots in 1839.

From Quiz Billy Fiske

Answer: Chicago, IL

He was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of a wealthy banking family.

From Quiz Britain's Fighting Elite The SAS

Answer: Special Air Service

The Special Air Service was fundamentally created in the Western Desert in North Africa in 1941, under the command of 2nd Lieutenant David Stirling, a well-connected Scottish Lord (or Laird) in the Scots Guards (as well as the help of Jock Lewes, an Australian Officer in the Welsh Guards). The original concept was an elite raiding unit that would stealthily penetrate enemy lines and cause disruption to lines of communication, supply lines and enemy moral. During the Second World War, the SAS destroyed hundreds of German planes and supplies, markedly adding to the woes that Rommel faced in his desert campaigns. Their activities in fact caused Hitler to issue a shoot to kill order in which he stated 'These men are dangerous.'

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