5th Dragoon Guards


Drumhorse and Bandsmen 1856


The military artist Ebsworth painted this group from observation in 1856. The uniforms had recently changed from the tailed coatee with fringed epaulettes to the skirted tunic. This was the second tunic type following the double-breasted style introduced the previous year. The green velvet collar and cuffs were decorated with a simple gold lace button loop that formed a chevron on the cuff. This painting is interesting because it shows that the bandsmen had the same white and red helmet plume as the rest of the regiment. The red plumes for trumpeters and musicians came later. Also the yellow cord aiguillettes are attached to the right shoulder, not the left. The mounted man behind the drumhorse is the Trumpet-Major, with 4 chevrons on his upper arm.

The grey drumhorse has a shabraque as do the other horses and the drum banners are of a different design to the post-1882 banners. This design includes the four Peninsula battle honours only. The colour of the banners may be green as the regiment was still allowed green standards. In 1858 they were ordered to have only one standard, and that is was to be crimson.


Regimental details | Drumhorses and Band


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by Stephen Luscombe