Queen's Own Hussars

Drumhorse, Full Dress c1992

The drumhorse of the Queen's own Hussars was inherited intact from the 3rd Hussars. The drumhorse of the 7th Hussars was de-commissioned on the amalgamation in 1958. The only vestige of the 7th was the QO arm badge worn over the sergeant's chevrons instead of the silver running horse.
The 3rd Hussars won great distinction at Dettingen in 1743 and captured a pair of silver kettledrums from the French. The King granted the regiment the honour of a kettle drummer and horse in excess of their establishment. The drummer is always dressed as a sergeant irrespective of his rank. The silver collar is not a popular item of dress for the drummer, it is only bearable if the drummer has a long neck. It was presented to the kettledrummer in 1772 by the wife of Charles Fitzroy, Lord Southampton on being appointed to command the regiment.
Unfortunately a fire destroyed the original silver kettle drums at a date unknown, and the officers bought replacement silver drums. The Illustrated London News of 5th July 1856 printed a picture of the new drums with this caption: 'These superb instruments are of solid silver, containing upwards of 1000 ozs - they are supported by three lions' paws and have also ten embossed lions' heads attached to the mechanism. The Royal Arms are displayed embossed in a highly finished style, and under them are the insignia of the 3rd Light Dragoons (the white horse within the garter, NEC ASPERA TERRENT) with the proper enumeration of the honours of the regiment from Salamanca to Goojerat.' Because of the fine work on the drums and inclusion of the battle honours it was decided to dispense with drum banners, and that has been the custom ever since.

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