Drummer and Bandsman c1865

The drummer on the left of the picture has his drum at his feet. Although it is foreshortened at this angle it looks more like a snare drum but this was called a half cheese drum, popular at that time. He is not part of the band as can be seen by his red doublet, and bugle. The drummers at the end of the 18th century usually had reverse colour coats but the 42nd, being a Royal regiment had red coats with special lace. By 1831 drummers of all regiments had red coats with lace, although it is not clear what pattern was on the 42nd drummers' lace. There was a short period in 1855 when drummers wore white doublets but when the single breasted style was adopted it was red. The shoulders had worsted fringes and the lace was of special pattern until c1866 when the universal white lace with repeating red crowns was worn. It is not possible to see what pattern this drummer has. His kilt and the plaid attached to the back of his left shoulder is of Black Watch tartan. He has his drumsticks attached to his drum carriage and carries a broadsword which appears to be attached to his waistbelt.
On the right of the photo is a bandsman with a euphonium or tenor tuba. He has a white doublet with blue collar and cuffs. There is red edging to the Inverness pockets, cuffs, collar etc and he has blue wings on his shoulders with white stripes. His tartan plaid and kilt is different from the Black Watch tartan worn by the drummer and the rest of the regiment. It is in fact the same Royal Stewart sett as worn by the pipers, and is worn across the chest. Bandsmen were used by the Highland regiments in the 18th century and certainly by the early 19th century, paid for by the regiment, and dressed distinctively, usually in white coats. The white doublet was abolished for bandsmen in 1871 and they wore red from that date. He does not carry a sword but is armed with a dirk.

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