'A Near Run Thing' - Waterloo Trivia Quiz

Answer: Maj-Gen George Cooke

Cooke's 1st Division was the only British Division present commanded by a Major-General. On the day of the battle, it was the smallest Division, with four battalions plus 12 guns. Greatly reduced from its initial strength of 1,000.

Answer: King's German Legion

By mid afternoon 18 companies of British Guards had been deployed to Hougoumont. Prior to that the orchard and woods had been successfully defended by 1/2 Nassau under Capt Bussgen and some 200 Hanoverians.

Answer: George Gordon, Lord Byron

Lord Byron himself had always wished to 'take up the colours' and win martial glory, but had been unable to do so as he had a deformed leg.

Answer: 18,000

It is very difficult to cap the numbers of French thrown at the vital area of the ridge. It depends on whether we include Bachelu's Division, which later became involved in other actions, particularly against Wellington's centre.

Answer: Captain Whinyates

The Duke was never a fan of rockets - he looked on them as 'nonsense'- and initially ordered them to be left behind and placed in store. The troop was to be armed with guns. The Duke's Artillery commander Col Sir G Wood approached the Duke and said that if he were to enter the battle without them "It will break poor Whinyates' heart to lose his rockets!" Wellington relented.

Answer: Sergeant Charles Ewart - 2nd Dragoons

After capture Ewart was ordered to depart the battle immediately and take the 'Birdie' to Brussles. He was rewarded with a commission into the 5th Royal Veteran Battalion.

Answer: General de Division Georges Mouton, Comte de Lobau

Wellington had expected Bluecher's forces to arrive earlier, but they had to cross difficult, muddy terraine, using poor quality dirt tracks due to the absence of any paved roads. Later, with 40,000 troops, Bluecher pushed on through Plancenoit to cut off Napoleon's line of retreat and link up with Wellington.

Answer: Tsar Alexander I of Russia

It was Tallyrand that announced that 'the ogre' had escaped his exile on Elba, and it was greeted by derisive hoots of laughter from the other delegates. Alexander, once an admirer of Napoleon approaced the Duke and uttered the words. It was vital for the 'big five' to elicit Britain's help - and money.

Answer: Duke of Cumberland's Hussars

The regiment, manned by young 'gentlemen' of Hanover, who provided their own equipment and horses had little, if any, experience. On coming under fire they fled up the Brussels road informing all en route that Napoleon had won and was hot on their heels - although a handful of Officers and men did remain and join the ranks of other units for the fight.

Its commander Lt Col Hake was later dismissed from service and the regiment was disbanded.

Answer: 1st Battalion, 52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry

Colbourne's 52nd was the strongest battalion in Wellington's army at the time of the battle - 1,050 men. The action was Colbourne's own initiative, and was questioned by his superior as he wheeled the battalion round to the left to deploy them prarllel to the French line of advance. Maj-Gen Adam enqired what he was about, and Colbourne replied - "To make that column feel our fire!" Adam confirmed his actions and encouraged him further to: "Move on!"