Drummer, Marching Order 1815

This figure gives good detail of the special drummer's coat worn at Waterloo. The white lace is decorated with blue fleur-de-lys. I don't know if this is based on an actual coat but it seems to me that there are too many chevrons on the sleeve. The drum coats of 1792 and 1850 both have six chevrons (of double lace) whereas this coat has eight. It seems unlikely that they would have increased at this date. The broad strap that holds the drum, called the carriage, is under the straps of his knapsack and water-bottle so he cannot put the drum down without first removing these items. There are two leather loops on the carriage to hold his drumsticks. His brass beltplate can be seen with its garter star badge and his buff haversack is slung over his left shoulder. The shako has a red and white plume showing that he is in the battalion company. His trousers are tucked into short spats. The drum itself is decorated with the Coldstream hoops which are white, edged red with a blue worm. The slings hanging below the drum are white leather straps. These are usually plaited ropes but perhaps they were reserved for parades.

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