Drumhorse 1871


Most accounts of the history of the Greys drumhorses quote this painting as representing the 1860s in the hope that it goes some way to fill the early part of the gap between the Ebsworth painting of 1850 and the photo of Plumduff in 1889. The painting is anonymous but is assumed to be by a regimental officer. The problem with the date is that the drummer is wearing knee-boots and breeches which were introduced for the cavalry in 1871. They may possibly have been mistaken for leathered trousers which were worn in the 1850s and 60s but close inspection reveals that they are knee-boots. The drum banners are blue and have what looks like the royal arms with the lion and unicorn, but the centre of the device has a thistle. The painting, according to R G Harris in the bulletin of the Military Historical Society of Nov 1964, has an inscription which reads: 'A 15. For seventeen years until 1871 the drum-horse of the Scots Greys. E G M Donnithorne, Lt-Col late Scots Greys.' The horse, whose name was simply A 15, is a skewbald (white and brown) with black mane and tail. The aiguillettes are on the drummer's left shoulder and his red plume extends over the top of his black bearskin.


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by Stephen Luscombe