1st Life Guards, Trumpeter, 1828

One of 10 lithographs by M Gauci after E Hull, 1828. Published by Engelmann, Graf, Coindet and Company, 1828.

Being a trumpeter was not a purely ceremonial role. Commanders relied on musicians to communicate orders to their troops during combat so they always had a prominent role on the field of battle. On active service one trumpeter was allotted to each cavalry squadron in order to sound the calls issued by commanding officers. Different instructions had different calls.