Drum-Major c1860


The 42nd were in India from 1857 to 1868 and this photo shows the drum-major posing with other NCOs in dress uniform. He wears a red doublet that is of special pattern, having gold lace around the top of the blue collar and cuffs. He has a white leather sword belt over his right shoulder, although we cannot see if he has a belt plate like the officers. There is a tip and slide further down the belt that suggests he has a buckle instead of a belt plate. The embroidered blue sash on his left shoulder has the Sphinx on show, and a star, with battle honours above. The staff he carries has a simple flat top, not ornate as in other regiments.


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by Stephen Luscombe