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Quiz about Fictional British Military Heroes
Quiz about Fictional British Military Heroes

Fictional British Military Heroes Quiz


Can you identify the (fictional) British military hero from the description?

A multiple-choice quiz by se01dct. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
se01dct
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
338,267
Updated
Jul 23 22
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
11 / 15
Plays
485
Last 3 plays: Guest 90 (12/15), Guest 92 (11/15), DCW2 (15/15).
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Question 1 of 15
1. CS Forester's enterprising Royal Navy officer has been played by Gregory Peck and Ioan Gruffudd. He serves during the Napoleonic Wars and begins his career at sea seasick - who is he? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. He joined the Army after being expelled from Rugby School and despite being a scoundrel, a liar, a cheat, a thief and a coward, this hero ends up with rank, a Victoria Cross, a knighthood and is considered a brave hero by Victorian society. Name the bounder. Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. Who is Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, who although no longer in the Army, has previously seen action with the Army in Afghanistan? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Starting his career as a private in the 33rd Regiment of Foot, this hero is commissioned and spends most of the Napoleonic Wars as an officer in the 95th Rifles attached to the South Essex. Some of his experiences include saving the Duke of Wellington's life (before he was a duke), capturing a French Eagle, fighting at Waterloo and meeting Napoleon on St Helena. Who is this rags to riches hero? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. This hero was also present at Waterloo, but as a lowly Cornet with the 6th Light Dragoons. Unlike the hero above, this one did not commission from the ranks and is in the cavalry, not the infantry - who is he? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. This officer was once known as the 'Hero of Mboto Gorge' in 1892, where he had faced "ten thousand Watutsi warriors armed to the teeth with kiwi fruit and dry guava halves". He is better known for his cunning plans to avoid the frontline, including sticking two pencils up his nose, putting underpants on his head and saying, "Wobble," joining the Royal Flying Corps and posing as a chef, but what is his full name? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Who is this officer in the Duke of Marlborough's army, used for special missions in the Blenheim Campaign, Ostende and Oudenarde by the Captain General? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. Name the resident of "Fawlty Towers" who ends up talking to a moose's head, discussing the cricket and complaining about the Germans. Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. The actor who played this character would later go on to further fame as a trouble-solving doctor called House, but who did he play in "Blackadder Goes Forth"? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Name the main Character from Patrick O'Brian's series, played by Russell Crowe in the film "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World". Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Who is this bank manager from Walmington-on-Sea also doubled as a platoon commander in the Home Guard? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. In Chris Humphreys' books this young officer has campaigned in North America against the French and the Rebels, but is better known for his role in Sheridan's play, "The Rivals". Which Jack is he? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. Born in India, this hero joined the Rifle Regiment during WWI before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF), where he would make his name as an ace pilot and adventurer. What is the name of this boyhood hero? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Whether he was real or fictional is debatable, but historians all agree that the quest for the Holy Grail, the round table and Excalibur are all romantic embellishments, added by Medieval writers. Who is this royal knight? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. Despite his humble beginnings, this actor has played his fair share of officers over the years. The fictional ones include Squadron Leader Canfield in "the Battle of Britain and Captain John Colby in "Escape to Victory," whilst he has also played real officers, such as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in "Zulu" and Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur in "A Bridge Too Far." His name is...? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 90: 12/15
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 92: 11/15
Feb 24 2024 : DCW2: 15/15

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. CS Forester's enterprising Royal Navy officer has been played by Gregory Peck and Ioan Gruffudd. He serves during the Napoleonic Wars and begins his career at sea seasick - who is he?

Answer: Horatio Hornblower

Despite not having the advantages of money or influence, Hornblower eventually rises to Admiral of the Fleet Baron Hornblower, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.
2. He joined the Army after being expelled from Rugby School and despite being a scoundrel, a liar, a cheat, a thief and a coward, this hero ends up with rank, a Victoria Cross, a knighthood and is considered a brave hero by Victorian society. Name the bounder.

Answer: Harry Flashman

Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC KCB KCIE (1822-1915) is the creation of George MacDonald Fraser and follows the life and career of Flashman, the bully from "Tom Brown's Schooldays," after he is expelled from Rugby School. Despite trying to avoid any danger to himself, Flashman sees action at well known actions such as the retreat from Kabul, Little Big Horn, the Charge of the Light Brigade and the Thin Red Line.
3. Who is Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, who although no longer in the Army, has previously seen action with the Army in Afghanistan?

Answer: John Watson

Having received his medical degree from the University of London, Dr. Watson trains as an surgeon and is posted to India. He is wounded at the Battle of Maiwand and after his return to England he meets Holmes.
4. Starting his career as a private in the 33rd Regiment of Foot, this hero is commissioned and spends most of the Napoleonic Wars as an officer in the 95th Rifles attached to the South Essex. Some of his experiences include saving the Duke of Wellington's life (before he was a duke), capturing a French Eagle, fighting at Waterloo and meeting Napoleon on St Helena. Who is this rags to riches hero?

Answer: Richard Sharpe

Bernard Cornwell has written over twenty novels following the exploits of Richard Sharpe and inspired the "Sharpe" TV series, with Sean Bean playing the leading role (despite having the wrong colour hair and having a northern accent!)
5. This hero was also present at Waterloo, but as a lowly Cornet with the 6th Light Dragoons. Unlike the hero above, this one did not commission from the ranks and is in the cavalry, not the infantry - who is he?

Answer: Matthew Hervey

Despite being a "proper" officer, Hervey still has to rely on his abilities to see him promoted, and all to often sees richer, less able men promoted above him. However, his abilities are recognised by the Duke of Wellington as he slowly earns his promotions.
6. This officer was once known as the 'Hero of Mboto Gorge' in 1892, where he had faced "ten thousand Watutsi warriors armed to the teeth with kiwi fruit and dry guava halves". He is better known for his cunning plans to avoid the frontline, including sticking two pencils up his nose, putting underpants on his head and saying, "Wobble," joining the Royal Flying Corps and posing as a chef, but what is his full name?

Answer: Captain Edmund Blackadder

Blackadder mentions that he joined the Army in 1888 when the British Empire was fighting the "fuzzie wuzzies." The medals on his uniform include the Queen's South Africa Medal, the King's South Africa Medal, the 1914-15 Star and the French Croix de Guerre
7. Who is this officer in the Duke of Marlborough's army, used for special missions in the Blenheim Campaign, Ostende and Oudenarde by the Captain General?

Answer: Jack Steel

Jack Steel is Marlborough's equivalent to Wellington's Sharpe. Less refined than many of his brother officers, he more than makes up for it with his bravery, loyalty and intelligence.
8. Name the resident of "Fawlty Towers" who ends up talking to a moose's head, discussing the cricket and complaining about the Germans.

Answer: Major Gowan

Normally referred to simply by his rank, the Major is "Fawlty Towers'" oldest resident.
9. The actor who played this character would later go on to further fame as a trouble-solving doctor called House, but who did he play in "Blackadder Goes Forth"?

Answer: Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh MC

Lt George was played by Hugh Laurie, alongside Stephen Fry as General Melchett, Rik Mayall as Flasheart, Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder, Tony Robinson as Baldrick and Tim McInnerny as Darling.
10. Name the main Character from Patrick O'Brian's series, played by Russell Crowe in the film "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World".

Answer: Jack Aubrey

In the books Aubrey is a great lover of music and often plays the violin, accompanied by Dr. Stephen Maturin (played by Paul Bettany in the film) on the cello.
11. Who is this bank manager from Walmington-on-Sea also doubled as a platoon commander in the Home Guard?

Answer: Captain George Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring was the long-suffering platoon commander in "Dad's Army". A statue of him sitting on a bench was erected in Thetford (where a lot of the series was filmed) in 2010, and is designed so that members of the public can sit next to him.
12. In Chris Humphreys' books this young officer has campaigned in North America against the French and the Rebels, but is better known for his role in Sheridan's play, "The Rivals". Which Jack is he?

Answer: Jack Absolute

Originally created by Sheridan, Humphreys has built three novels around this character after playing Jack Absolute himself in "The Rivals". In Humphreys' series, Jack is forced to leave England and join the Army. He ends up in North America fighting the French before being captured by Native Americans.

He eventually finds his way back to the British Army and upon his return to England is caught up in a Jacobite plot to kill the king. He later returns to North America, this time to fight against the Rebels and attempts to uncover a Masonic plot to form a new nation...
13. Born in India, this hero joined the Rifle Regiment during WWI before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF), where he would make his name as an ace pilot and adventurer. What is the name of this boyhood hero?

Answer: James Bigglesworth

Bigglesworth was better known as 'Biggles' and his friends (the other options on this question) as Ginger, Algie and Bertie. He can claim at least 32 kills, a DSO and MC with bar, not to mention being shot down or crash landing eight times.
14. Whether he was real or fictional is debatable, but historians all agree that the quest for the Holy Grail, the round table and Excalibur are all romantic embellishments, added by Medieval writers. Who is this royal knight?

Answer: King Arthur

The Legends of King Arthur may have been based on a Romano-Celtic British soldier who fought alongside the kings of Britain against the Saxons in the 5th or 6th Century. The first record of his existence was written more than 300 years after his life (where he is referred to as a soldier) and the King Arthur that we would recognise does not appear until the 12th Century.
15. Despite his humble beginnings, this actor has played his fair share of officers over the years. The fictional ones include Squadron Leader Canfield in "the Battle of Britain and Captain John Colby in "Escape to Victory," whilst he has also played real officers, such as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in "Zulu" and Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur in "A Bridge Too Far." His name is...?

Answer: Michael Caine

Michael Caine also played the fictional German commander, Colonel Steiner in the film adaptation of Jack Higgins' "The Eagle has Landed."

"A Bridge Too Far" boasts an impressive cast, including Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Dirk Bogarde, Laurence Olivier, James Caan, Edward Fox and Elliot Gould.
Source: Author se01dct

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