Drummer's Colour c1910

Sometimes called the Wilhelmstahl Colour because of it's association with the battle of Wilhelmstahl in June 1762. The 5th Foot were at the head of the centre column under the personal command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. They captured a French standard and took twice their own number in French Grenadier prisoners. It is said that the men of the regiment changed their three cornered hats for the fur caps of the French grenadiers and continued to wear them for many years.
The Colour has been carried by a drummer of the regiment since that battle. This is very unusual because the Regimental and King's Colours have always been carried by ensigns. The Colour seen here is not the original as that was destroyed in a fire at the barracks while they were stationed in Gibraltar c1834. An application to have a replacement Colour was refused by William IV but 70 years later, Edward VII gave his approval and the Colour has been carried by a drummer since then.
The illustration shows a drummer c1910 holding the gosling green Colour. It has a Roman numeral 5 below St George and the Dragon, with the motto above that and the regimental title below the V. The other figure, on the left, is the sergeant-drummer. The title of drum-major was down-graded in 1881 so that the corps of drums was commanded by a Class 2 Staff Sergeant. The title of drum-major was not restored until 1926. His mace is decorated with red and white roses as it is St Georges's day, 23rd April. There is also a rose wreath on top of the Colour staff and roses fixed to the front of their bearskins.

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