Drum-Major Byrne c1861

This photo of Drum-Major Byrne was taken c1861. In that year the 1st Battalion was stationed at Gosport. The Drum-Major no longer wears the tall bearskin as seen in the 1846 print by M A Hayes. He has the 1861 pattern shako as worn by the whole regiment. His 1856-style tunic is scarlet with blue facings. The gold laced wings on his shoulders indicate his position as being in command of the Corps of Drums. His rank is shown on his right arm only, 4 gold chevrons with a drum badge above. He has a sergeant’s crimson sash on his right shoulder and a drum-major’s sash on his left shoulder. This is blue with gold lace edges and an embroidered Victorian crown over the regimental insignia of a garter surrounding the Hanoverian White Horse.
The details of the embroidery beneath the garter are unclear but would include the battle honours of the King’s Regiment. In 1861 there were only three honours: the Sphinx of EGYPT, MARTINIQUE and NIAGARA. The battle honours for the Indian Mutiny were granted in 1864: DELHI and LUCKNOW. Byrne can be seen in other photos: Colour Party 1863 and Sergeants, 1st Battalion 1863 both taken at Sheffield.

Regimental Details | Drummers & Musicians