Regimental Band 1903

This photo was taken at Ragley Park Camp in 1903 and the two types of busby can be seen clearly. The darker ones predominate and it seems that little had been done since 1901 to provide a uniform style of head-dress. The busbies are taller than the ones worn in regular hussar regiments and are probably about 15 or 20 years old. The dark colour of the plumes and busby bags, as well as the cap lines indicates that they are all red. But yellow caplines would appear dark in photos of this period and it is more likely that the cords were yellow. Peaked forage caps were worn with dress tunics after 1905 and it is suggested that the band were issued with red caps instead of the white and blue ones worn by the regiment. The bandmaster is moving his right arm so that there is blurring of the detail but he has a badge sewn on to his forearm which is probably the lyre band badge, although none of the other musicians have a badge. This Warrant Officer has the same type of uniform as the other ranks, and he has an OR pouchbelt, but he wears a sword. His busby is lower than the others but it as no plume.