The history and heritage of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, its antecedents and successors, and other regiments with links to Dorset is celebrated in the excellent Keep Military Museum in Dorchester (click for details)
1685
The Duke of Beaufort’s Regiment of Foot (AKA The Duke of Beaufort’s Musketeers) is raised to defend against the Monmouth Rebellion.
By the end of 1685, the Colonelcy of the Regiment had transferred to the Marquis of Worcester and the regiment re-named to The Marquis of Worcester’s Regiment of Foot.
1687
The Marquis of Worcester’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named The Viscount Montgomery’s Regiment of Foot.
1688
The Viscount Montgomery’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named Sir John Hanmer’s Regiment of Foot.
1690
Sir John Hanmer’s Regiment of Foot see action for the first time at The Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.
1702
Sir John Hanmer’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named James Stanhope’s Regiment of Foot.
Richard Coote’s Regiment of Foot is raised.
1705
James Stanhope’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named John Hill’s Regiment of Foot.
1715
John Hill’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named Edward Montagu’s Regiment of Foot.
1738
Edward Montagu’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named Stephen Cornwallis’s Regiment of Foot.
1743
Stephen Cornwallis’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named Robinson Sowle’s Regiment of Foot.
1746
Robinson Sowle’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named William Graham’s Regiment of Foot.
1747
William Graham’s Regiment of Foot changed Colonel and were re-named Bocland’s Regiment of Foot.
1751
A numerical system for Regiments of Foot was introduced into the British Army.
The Regiment were numbered the 11th Regiment of Foot under a new numerical system within the British Army.
1782
The 11th Regiment of Foot were re-titled as the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot.
1881
Under the Childers Reforms, Regiments of the British Army were re-named as the County Regiments we are now familiar with.
The 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot were re-named The Devonshire Regiment.
The 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot and The 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot were amalgamated to form The Dorsetshire Regiment.
1951
The Dorsetshire Regiment title was changed to The Dorset Regiment.
1958
The Devonshire Regiment and The Dorset Regiment were amalgamated to form The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment.