Drumhorse and Musicians c1846

This contemporary sketch by Ebsworth is based on observation. The musicians are wearing an unusual helmet that was introduced briefly from 1843 to 1847, which had a flowing mane in the French style. In the Illustrated London News dated 1st July 1848 there was a report on the Coventry Show Fair which said that the music was provided by the 'grand Military Band of the Fifth Dragoon Guards'. A large illustration was printed with the article showing a long winding procession that escorted Lady Godiva, with dragoon guards at the front and the band a little further back. The illustration in the paper shows the regiment wearing fur crested helmets, worn from 1834 to 1843, while the band are wearing drooping hair plumes of the type introduced in 1847. This would indicate that the regiment never adopted the flowing mane type, except for the band. The illustration shown here is unfortunately in monochrome but it seems that the manes on the helmets are red. The drum banner may well be green as it is reported that from 1800 the drum banners were green. It is not known when they were changed to red. The band sergeant who is addressing the drummer has a sword and sabretache. The trumpeter, with his back to us on the right has a sword only, while the instrumentalists on the extreme left and right have no sword.

Regimental details | Drumhorses and Band