Mounted Trumpeter in Marching Order c1875


The mounted figure on the left, sounding the trumpet is dressed identically to the rest of the regiment apart from the red plume on his bearskin. It does not curve over the top as it did in the 1840s but is upright like the white plume of the others. The cords of his trumpet are red, yellow and blue, and close inspection reveals that he has a tasseled bugle hanging on his right hip. His saddle has a black sheepskin and red-ended valise strapped behind. He has no carbine like the others and there is no sign of his sword which should be hanging on the near side. The crossed white straps on the men's chests are the pouchbelt and canvas haversack strap. The wearing of the haversack indicates marching order. The date of this painting is not clear. It was painted by Richard Simkin who was born in 1851 and began his military painting career c1875. This is certainly an early painting of his and some aspects of the uniform and equipment point to the mid 1870s. The waistbelt worn by the dismounted sergeant has a rectangular brass clasp. This was changed to the more familiar snake clasp some time before 1875 but we do not know how long it took the Greys to make the change. The trumpeter appears to have round mess tins just below his valise. These were taken into use in the early 1870s and later strapped on the top of the valise. The date is certainly pre-1881 as the officer has his rank badges on his collar.


Regimental Details | Band


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by Stephen Luscombe