Trumpeter, Undress c1890

This photo from Godfrey Brennen's collection is captioned 1890 Trumpeter, Canterbury. It shows a veteran trumpeter who displays 5 good-conduct stripes on his forearm which must add up to around 20 year's service. It is surprising that he has no medal ribbons. The scarlet stable jacket is special to the band as it does not have buttons, but is instead fastened with hooks and eyes, and has white tape along the edges. The white cuffs are edged with the white tape but quilted. There are slim twisted white cords on his shoulders. The trumpet is slung over his shoulder with white cords which seem to be plaited. The pillbox forage cap does not conform to the musicians special type seen in earlier, and later pictures. The Musicians of 1871 by Ebsworth show the cap with braiding on the crown. Perhaps the cap was changed at some point before 1890 and changed back later in the 1890s. It is not possible to tell whether it is a red or dark blue cap.

Regimental details | Musicians and Drumhorses