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Quiz about Regiments of the British Army

Regiments of the British Army Trivia Quiz

In 1881 the county regiments of the British Army were formed from the old numbered regiments of foot. These have now disappeared as a result of the amalgamations of 2006, but are still proudly remembered. How many can you identify?

A multiple-choice quiz by ancientnav. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ancientnav

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
342,540

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
361

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What British regiment was known as 'Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard'? Hint

The Rifle Brigade

The Royal Fusiliers

The Royal Scots

The Black Watch

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which was the only British regiment whose members wore two badges on their caps? Hint

The Glosters

The Norfolk Regiment

The Worcestershire Regiment

The Border Regiment

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which British regiment was known as "The Diehards"? Hint

The Middlesex Regiment

The Royal Berkshire Regiment

The Essex Regiment

The Wiltshire Regiment

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which British regiment merged with the Bedfordshire Regiment after the First World War? Hint

The Buckinghamshire Regiment

The Hertfordshire Regiment

The Cambridgeshire Regiment

The Loyal Essex Fusiliers

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Question 5 of 10

5. The defenders of Rorkes Drift in 1879 came from the 24th Foot and included many Welsh soldiers. Which Welsh regiment did the 24th become two years later? Hint

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The South Wales Borderers

The Welsh Regiment

The Monmouthshire Regiment

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Question 6 of 10

6. What type of British infantry regiments traditionally wore black buttons? Hint

Highland Regiments

Fusiliers

Rifle Regiments

Light Infantry

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Question 7 of 10

7. Many animals, real and mythical, feature on regimental cap badges. What animal was shown on the badge of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment? Hint

Tiger

Stag

Lion

Horse

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which was the only one of these four Irish regiments to survive after Irish independence in 1922? Hint

The Leinster Regiment

The Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The Connaught Rangers

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which infantry regiment was based in London and primarily recruited from the London area? Hint

The King's Own Royal Regiment

The King's Royal Rifle Corps

The Queen's Regiment

The Royal Fusiliers

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Question 10 of 10

10. What British county regiment was also known as 'The Buffs'? Hint

The Royal West Kent Regiment

The East Kent Regiment

The East Surrey Regiment

The West Surrey Regiment

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What British regiment was known as 'Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard'?

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.

2. Which was the only British regiment whose members wore two badges on their caps?

Answer: The Glosters

In 1801, the 28th Foot (the predecessor regiment of the Glosters) were serving in Egypt in the Napoleonic Wars. On March 21st, in a fierce skirmish with Napoleon's troops, the 28th fought back-to-back and repulsed the enemy. For this action they were awarded the unique honour of wearing a second smaller badge on the back of their caps.

The Sphinx on the badge also commemorates the regiment's service in Egypt.

3. Which British regiment was known as "The Diehards"?

Answer: The Middlesex Regiment

At the Battle of Albuhera in the Peninsular Wars in 1811, the colonel of the 57th Regiment, the predecessor regiment of The Middlesex, lay mortally wounded. He exhorted his troops by calling out "Die hard, the 57th, die hard!" As far as I am aware Bruce Willis never served in The Middlesex Regiment!

4. Which British regiment merged with the Bedfordshire Regiment after the First World War?

Answer: The Hertfordshire Regiment

The Hertfordshire Regiment had previously been a separate territorial regiment with no regular troops. I made up The Loyal Essex Fusiliers!

5. The defenders of Rorkes Drift in 1879 came from the 24th Foot and included many Welsh soldiers. Which Welsh regiment did the 24th become two years later?

Answer: The South Wales Borderers

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for the action at Rorkes Drift, including seven to members of the 24th Foot, the greatest number ever won for a single action up to 2011.

6. What type of British infantry regiments traditionally wore black buttons?

Answer: Rifle Regiments

Black buttons were worn by The Rifle Brigade, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, The Scottish Rifles (The Cameronians) and The Royal Ulster Rifles. Rifle regiments were the first to have the old smooth-bored musket replaced by the modern rifle during the 19th century.

7. Many animals, real and mythical, feature on regimental cap badges. What animal was shown on the badge of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment?

Answer: Tiger

The tiger commemorated the regiment's long service in India. Leicester Rugby Club are known as the Leicester Tigers.

8. Which was the only one of these four Irish regiments to survive after Irish independence in 1922?

Answer: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The 'skins' as they were nicknamed primarily recruited in the North, which remained in the United Kingdom. The other three regiments were disbanded. The Royal Irish Rifles also remained, although they were renamed The Royal Ulster Rifles.

9. Which infantry regiment was based in London and primarily recruited from the London area?

Answer: The Royal Fusiliers

The Royal Fusiliers were based at Hounslow, West London. The Queen's were the West Surrey Regiment, the King's Own were based in Lancaster and the KRRC had their depot in Winchester.

10. What British county regiment was also known as 'The Buffs'?

Answer: The East Kent Regiment

In the 18th century regiments were often named after their colonels. In the 1730s the 3rd (East Kent) and the 19th (Yorkshire) Regiments both had a Colonel Howard. They were therefore distinguished by the colours of their uniform facings, hence 'The Buff Howards' and 'The Green Howards'.

The former subsequently dropped the name 'Howard' and were known simply as 'The Buffs' but the latter retained the name 'The Green Howards' until the 2006 amalgamations.

Source: Author ancientnav

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