The Dorset Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a group of battalions, usually four and commanded by a colonel. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...

It was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

• the 39th Regiment of Foot - the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment
• the 54th Regiment of Foot - the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment

Until 1951 it was formally called The Dorsetshire Regiment, although usually known as "the Dorsets". For other uses, see Dorset (disambiguation). ... Norfolk (pronounced IPA: ) is a low-lying county in East Anglia in the east of southern England. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

In 1958 it amalgamated with The Devonshire Regiment to form the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment (usually known as the Devon and Dorset Regiment or just the Devon and Dorsets) is an infantry regiment of the British Army. ...