Drum horse of 17th/21st Lancers, Warburg Barracks, Aldershot, 1925-1927

Photograph by Gale and Polden, Aldershot, 1925-1927.

Each regiment still maintained a band after World War One (1914-1918). Although full dress had been made obsolete in 1914, some bands still wore it. The drum horse would normally lead the band and was normally a larger, steadier horse that could carry the extra weight of the kettle drums. The drum banner shown on the kettle drum here is for the 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers, which had amalgamated with the 21st Lancers in 1922, and the banner was retained in use. The distinctive white plastron and chapka of the kettle drummer is also shown. Bands undertook a wide variety of types of music, which could range from a concert band to a full mounted band.

Although the 17th/21st Lancers was still horsed, it was eventually mechanised in India in 1938 and the horses retired. Although the regiment was still horsed, it was eventually mechanised in India in 1938 and the horses retired.

From a collection of 1,701 photographs taken by Gale and Polden, Aldershot, showing British regiments and corps.