Drummer 1751

The drummers of the regiment can trace their origins to 1678 when the Greys were three independent Troops, raised in that year. There were two drummers in each Troop. There is no information on how they were dressed at that time but in 1751 the artist David Morier painted a detailed picture of a drummer of the 11th Dragoons. This Scots Greys drummer by Percy Sumner, coloured by Godfrey Brennen, is based on Morier's painting but adapted to fit the known facts. It was the custom to dress drummers and Hautbois in distinctive coats, usually in reverse colours, so that for the 11th Dragoons the coat was buff with red collar and cuffs. But in Royal regiments like the Greys the coat was red with blue facings, in line with the rest of the regiment. The coat was well covered with yellow and blue lace and had wings on the shoulders. There were hanging sleeves behind the arms.
The drummer performed the function of transmitting the commander's orders and so followed closely behind the colonel or Troop leader into the field. In 1766 the drummers were replaced by trumpeters who were able to be heard over the din of battle more clearly. For this reason the drummer of the early 18th century, and the trumpeter/bugler that succeeded him were soldiers first and musicians second.

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