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Wellington's Soldiers Trivia Quiz

Under Wellington, the British Army became a force to be reckoned with during the Napoleonic Wars. Here are a few questions about the finest fighting force in that period.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
337,797

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
447

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What did to 'take the King's Shilling' mean? Hint

to agree to pay taxes

to agree to join the army

to agree to be a colonist

to agree to be a mercenary

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Question 2 of 10

2. The King's Regiment (8th Regiment of Foot) is one of the oldest and finest regiments in the British Army. Which city is that regiment affiliated with? Hint

Glasgow

London

Liverpool

Coventry

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Question 3 of 10

3. During the Napoleonic Wars, what was a 'chosen man' in the British Army? Hint

a lance corporal

a grenadier

an officer candidate

a condemned man

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which branch of infantry used the hunting horn emblem? Hint

the grenadiers

the dragoons

the line infantry

the light infantry

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Question 5 of 10

5. The 95th Rifles were experts at sharpshooting and skirmishing. What were their nicknames? Hint

the beetles

the mosquitoes

the flies

the grasshoppers

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Question 6 of 10

6. How were grenadiers chosen in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars? Hint

by height and strength

by lots or volunteers

by courage

by family name

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who were the only troops allowed to wear mustaches in the British Army during the Napoleonic wars? Hint

the medical corps

the engineers

the hussars

the artillery

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Question 8 of 10

8. During the Napoleonic Wars, what was the most common form of punishment in the British Army? Hint

shooting

giving extra duty

flogging

manual labor

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Question 9 of 10

9. Every soldier was issued a pair of shoes. What are straight-lasted shoes? Hint

shoes that fit either foot

shoes without laces

they're actually boots, not shoes

shoes made of pigskin

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Question 10 of 10

10. The British trotter pack was uncomfortable to carry on long marches. What did the soldiers call the ailment associated with the pack? Hint

pack palsy

pack attack

pack back

pack blues

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What did to 'take the King's Shilling' mean?

Answer: to agree to join the army

Taking the King's Shilling was an agreement to join the army. This was often done with a degree of trickery or coercion. This included going to debtors and alehouses to enlist recruits.

2. The King's Regiment (8th Regiment of Foot) is one of the oldest and finest regiments in the British Army. Which city is that regiment affiliated with?

Answer: Liverpool

The King's Regiment is affiliated with the City of Liverpool. The majority of the English regiments are county regiments; the King's Regiment was recruited entirely from Liverpool.

3. During the Napoleonic Wars, what was a 'chosen man' in the British Army?

Answer: a lance corporal

A chosen man was a lance corporal who served as an assistant NCO. Unlike a full corporal, who would later be promoted, a lance corporal was appointed without a guarantee of becoming an NCO. Nonetheless, men in the ranks always refered to him as 'corporal'.

4. Which branch of infantry used the hunting horn emblem?

Answer: the light infantry

The light infantry used the hunting horn emblem along with green facings on their jacket. They specialized in skirmishing and scouting.

5. The 95th Rifles were experts at sharpshooting and skirmishing. What were their nicknames?

Answer: the grasshoppers

The green clad riflemen of the 95th were nicknamed the grasshoppers. Armed with the Baker Rifle and fitted in blackened leather, they were the forerunners of the Rifle Brigade.

6. How were grenadiers chosen in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars?

Answer: by height and strength

Grenadiers were chosen by height and strength in all the European armies during that era. The Foot Guards were paid better and maintained a higher degree of discipline on the march and in battle.

7. Who were the only troops allowed to wear mustaches in the British Army during the Napoleonic wars?

Answer: the hussars

The flamboyant hussars (light cavalry) were the only soldiers allowed to wear mustaches. This led to them being called 'foreigners' by the other ranks.

8. During the Napoleonic Wars, what was the most common form of punishment in the British Army?

Answer: flogging

Flogging was carried out while the company was assembled in formation and the unfortunate given 'stripes'.

9. Every soldier was issued a pair of shoes. What are straight-lasted shoes?

Answer: shoes that fit either foot

Straight-lasted shoes were shoes that would fit either foot. They were terribly uncomfortable and said to cause real foot problems.

10. The British trotter pack was uncomfortable to carry on long marches. What did the soldiers call the ailment associated with the pack?

Answer: pack palsy

The wooden Trotter pack produced an ailment that the soldiers called pack palsy. This included chafing, soreness and constricted breathing from the front pack straps.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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