Drumhorse, Review Order c1912

This naïve painting of the drumhorse is not dated but was probably painted while the 10th Hussars were still in India. The red drum banners were made for the Delhi Durbar in 1911 and remained as such until the WW1 battle honours were added in 1927. The horse is the same drumhorse that appears in photos taken in India from 1904 to 1911, with its distinctive white socks. The artist has been careful in his painting of the drum banner and the cowrie shell tack but the red shabraque is questionable. It does not conform with photographic evidence which shows the old style shabraque with double gold lace edging and a guelphic Victorian crown. This shabraque has a single gold lace edge and Kings’ crown. Also there is no scroll around the X with the regimental title. The full leopardskin with red edge is also doubtful. The 1911 photo of Corporal Pollock dressed for the Durbar shows him in a white helmet whereas this drummer has the home service busby.

Regimental Details | Drumhorses and Trumpeters