Drummer 1751

The paintings of David Morier in the Royal Collection include grenadiers from all the British infantry regiments. This illustration is a detail from one of the paintings that depicts the 16th 17th and 18th Regiments. The figure of the drummer is in the background with his back to us showing the elaborate coat with it's unusual hanging sleeves. It was very different from the coats worn by the fighting men and is almost mediaeval. The state coats worn by bandsmen of the Household Cavalry in modern times have narrow strips hanging from the back of the shoulder and looped up to the waist-belt. In 1747 a warrant stated that drummers of Royal regiments should wear the royal livery: Red with blue facings and linings. The decoration on the coat is made up of blue strips with gold edges and central stripe. The cap is similar to those worn by the grenadiers but the red part has a folded down point which is a neatened version of the original grenadier cap that had a stiff front and falling point. The blue base of the cap has a gold drum embroidered and an indistinct white badge which may be the number 18. The blue and gold baldric is the belt that carries the drum. He is armed with a sword that cannot be seen here, but it is attached to a waist-belt.