Trumpet and Drum Banners c1885

Old Scottish Regimental Colours by Andrew Ross published in 1885 has this illustration which shows dark blue drum banners and a pale blue trumpet banner. The design of the drum banners is almost the same as the final red banners that were used until 1971. The central device is the Scottish thistle and motto with Victoria's crown above and the Crimea battle honours either side of the crown. The Eagle was positioned below and the whole surrounded by a thistle wreath issuing from the regimental motto SECOND TO NONE. In the bottom corners are two grenade badges with small pointed flames. Above these are scrolls with the regimental title ROYAL NORTH BRITISH DRAGOONS. Later banners which were red had grenades with larger flames and the title ROYAL SCOTS GREYS. The title had changed in 1877 but the old title was still used for these blue banners as well as a duplicate pair made in red for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
The trumpet banner was specially prepared, probably also for the 1887 Jubilee. A similar one was used for the coronation of George V in 1911. The motto SECOND TO NONE is below the centre circle and the battle honours BALAKLAVA WATERLOO and SEVASTOPOL are on the scroll that surrounds the Eagle.

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