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

No 3 Commando disembarking at Tilbury Docks, June 1945
War and Peace

On This Day: June 1945

In June 1945, the British Army reached its wartime peak of 3.1 million soldiers. Troops were deployed all over the world on military, peacekeeping, administrative and occupational missions.
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Other ranks’ glengarry badge, 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot, c1874

39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1689. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot to form The Dorsetshire Regiment.

Officer's cap badge, The Green Howards (Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment), c1904

The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment)

This infantry unit was formed in 1688. It served in many British Army campaigns during its long history, before becoming part of The Yorkshire Regiment in 2006.

Bengal Army Troops, 1785

Armies of the East India Company

Originally formed to trade in Asia, the East India Company came to rule large areas of the Indian subcontinent, exercising military power through its formidable armed forces.

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.

The Battle of the Boyne, 1690

Battle of the Boyne

Fought on 1 July 1690 between the forces of the deposed King James II and his successor, King William III, the Battle of the Boyne was the largest military engagement ever to take place on Irish soil.

The Battle of Vinegar Hill, 21 June 1798

Irish Rebellion of 1798

In 1798, an underground republican group known as the Society of United Irishmen instigated a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. Although the revolt ended in total defeat for the rebels, it marked a significant watershed in Irish history.

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.

Stories of alliance

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With friends like these: The Americans

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with the United States from the 18th century to the present day.

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With friends like these: The Russians

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with Russia from the 18th century to the present day.

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With friends like these: The French

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with France from the 17th century to the present day.