7th Hussars


Bandmaster c1910


The uniform of the bandmaster did not always conform to that worn by officers or Warrant officers. The frock coat seen here had been replaced by the plain double breasted type with gilt buttons. He has a gold embroidered band badge on his sleeve and an officer's pouch-belt over his shoulder. The peaked forage cap is also officer style, but there are no visible rank badges on his shoulder.

Bandmasters were traditionally musicians taken on by the regiment to direct the band and compose any music for special occasions. In 1859 they employed William Van Der Heuval who had been in the 9th Foot and went on to be bandmaster of the 1st Life Guards from 1879 to 1890. Carli Zoeller was bandmaster in 1879 and went to the 2nd Life Guards in the late 1880s. He had been educated at the Berlin Royal Academy of Music and composed many works including 'Mary Stuart', 'Qui sedes Domine', three masses, 'Ave Maria', 'The Art of Modulation' and 'The Viole d'Amour'. James P Clarke who can be seen in Drumhorse and Musicians 1853 started off as bandsman in the 7th Hussars as well as the 61st Foot but was taken on as bandmaster in the 47th Foot, 7th Hussars, 11th Hussars, 36th, 83rd, 43rd and 54th Foot, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the Scots Guards from 1875 to 1887.


Regimental details | Band


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by Stephen Luscombe