The 1st Battalion suffered heavy casualties in WW1, especially at Loos in September 1915. By the end of the war the battalion was depleted so that the surviving pipers and drummers were incorporated into the band. This photo shows band musicians with a lance-corporal piper seated at the front and three drummers at the back, two of whom have bugle strings on their left shoulder. Four other pipers stand just in front of them. The drums piled in front include the band’s large time-beating drum, the bass drum of the corps of drums, three side drums visible, and a tenor drum in the centre. The officers appear to be the CO and second in command, both having field rank showing on their sleeves. On one side, next to the pipe lance-corporal, is the drum-major (sergeant-drummer), and on the other side, the bandmaster. All of them are in khaki with Tam O’Shanters apart from the major who has a glengarry cap.
