Drummers and Drum-Major, The Coldstream Guards, 1895 (c)

Glass negative, 1895 (c).

This image shows a group of drummers and a drum-major. Drum majors commanded drummers, buglers and bandsmen. They also played an important ceremonial role, leading marching bands and concerts.

This drum major is seen wearing State Dress. This type of dress dates back to the state musicians of the sovereign as far back as the seventeenth century. The intricate gold lace design on the coat, for example, dates back to this era. The type of velvet skull cap the Drum Major is pictured wearing is said to have been inspired by the caps of horse racers, and encouraged by King Charles II. The drum major carries a drum-major's staff or mace.

Drummers had a ceremonial role within regiments, but also had a prominent role on the battlefield. Commanders relied on them to communicate orders to their troops during combat, and when regiments were on the move, drummers kept the marching men in time with the beat of their drums.

The drummers in this image are wearing scarlet jackets with band wings on the shoulders, and white and blue braid on the sleeves and chest. The blue decorations on the braids are called fleur-de-lys, and are a design feature that recalled Britain's ancient relationship with France. The buttons on the drummers jackets are positioned in pairs, which indicate that regiment is Coldstream Guards.