Bugler, Coldstream Guards, 1895 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1895 (c).

Buglers were normally young soldiers. They were responsible for sounding calls that signalled changes in the daily routines of a unit, especially when in camp. The most well-known call is 'The Last Post' , sounded at the end of the day when the duty officer had completed his inspection of the camp and its sentry posts. Bugle calls also relayed commanders' orders on the battlefield, whether to advance, retreat, cease fire and so forth.

This bugler is pictured wearing a bearskin cap and holding a bugle. The scarlet jacket has band wings on the shoulders, and is elaborately laced with white and blue braid on the sleeves and across the chest. The blue decorations on the braids are fleur-de-lys, a design feature that recalls Britain's ancient claim to France. The buttons of the tunics, grouped in pairs, identify the regiment as the Coldstream Guards. The cuffs are round with a four buttoned slash. The blue cloth trousers have scarlet side-stripes two inches wide.