Mounted Band 1884

The mounted band of the 20th Hussars cross a bridge in this illustration, the lower part of a composite picture of the regiment painted in 1884. A grey drum horse leads the procession, with the drummer guiding the horse with stirrup reins. The rest of the band have no visible means of directing their horses and we must assume that the animals are trained to follow the drum horse and keep their place while the musicians' hands are busy with their instruments. They are all in review order and wear busbies with a crimson upright plume. They have swords and sabretaches suspended from hidden waist-belts. An enlargement of the drum-horse can be seen below:

The crimson drum banners have the VR cypher, and have a similar pattern to the better known later versions. The lace around the edge of the banners appears to be double like the 1870 banners. The details are obscure but the battle honour PENINSULA should be in the design. A few years later they would have new banners with VIMIERA and SUAKIN 1885 on each side. The throat plume on the bridle is crimson.

Regimental Details | Musicians and Trumpeters