Bandsmen and Other Ranks c1865


This group photo taken in India has several interesting features. The bandsmen are wearing white waist-length drill jackets. They have blue collars and cuffs and blue piping down the front. The three on the right of the picture have pouch-belts with a white pouch on their back in which to keep sheet music. They also have the lion badge on their pill-box caps whereas the other soldiers do not. They have no waist belts so presumably they no longer carry swords.

There are two musicians sitting in the middle of the picture. One is in band uniform and has a belt round his neck either for a heavy instrument or a drum. He has no lion badge on his cap. The man next to him, with a similar white belt round his neck is wearing the red drill jacket, with blue facings. He has a bugle in his right hand and drum-sticks in his left. The bugle cords can be seen draped over his left shoulder. He does have a lion badge on his cap. He is probably Trumpet-Major and a member of the Corps of Drums whereas the man next to him is a time-beater in the band. There are another two buglers sitting in front of him, one with a lion badge and one without.

The staff sergeants and Warrant Officers have peaked caps and gold Russia braid on their drill jackets. The two most senior, one wearing a sword, are lying in front of the others but their rank badges are not easily visible. Some of the men have good conduct stripes on their right fore-arm.


Band | Regimental details


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by Stephen Luscombe