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Delve deeper into stories of the Army and its soldiers, exploring events across the globe and down the centuries.

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Cap badge, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), 1914

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 2006, when it merged with The Green Howards and The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire to form The Yorkshire Regiment.

Glengarry badge, 76th Regiment of Foot, c1874

76th Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1787. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 33rd (The Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment of Foot to form The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding).

Glengarry badge, 33rd (The Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, c1874

33rd (The Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was formed in 1702. It served in many British Army campaigns until the 1881 reforms, when it merged with the 76th Regiment of Foot to form The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) in 1881.

Other ranks’ cap badge, The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own), c1898

The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1958, it merged with The West Yorkshire Regiment to form The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire.

Cap badge, The Devonshire Regiment, c1917

The Devonshire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1958, it was amalgamated with The Dorset Regiment to form the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment.

Glengarry badge, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), c1881

The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s Own)

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1958, it merged with The East Yorkshire Regiment to form The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire.

Bearskin badge, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), c1900s

Regimental badges

Soldiers’ headwear has always featured some form of insignia demonstrating regimental identity. Here we take a look at some common features of these badge designs, investigating the origins and meaning behind their words and symbols.

Cap badge, The Royal Welsh Regiment, 2019

The Royal Welsh

This infantry regiment was formed in 2006 by merging The Royal Regiment of Wales and The Royal Welch Fusiliers. Since then, it has served on several deployments including the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Soldiers of The 3rd (East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs) defending the Colours at Albuera, 1811

Save the Colours!

Colours have been the focus of some of the most bitter fighting and magnificent acts of heroism in British Army history. Soldiers often fought to the last to preserve them in battle, and they continue to hold totemic significance for regiments today.

Cap badge, The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, c1980

The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1970. It continued in British Army service until 2006, when it was merged into The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

Cap badge, The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), c1940

The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1970, when it amalgamated with The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers) to form The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.

Glengarry badge, 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, c1874

47th (The Lancashire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1741. It served in many campaigns until 1881, when it was merged into The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).

Stories of remembrance

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Peace and commemoration

After the Armistice in November 1918, millions of soldiers hoped they would soon go home. But demobilising so many troops was a huge task. How best to mark the Allied victory also became a subject for debate.

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Honouring the fallen

After the First World War, British society had to come to terms with the loss of huge numbers of its service personnel. Across the country, people found ways to commemorate the fallen at a local and national level.

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The Unknown Warrior

The grave of the Unknown Warrior contains the remains of an unidentified British serviceman, interred in 1920 to honour the fallen of the First World War. The secretive selection process remains shrouded in mystery.