Bass drum, 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), 1922-1945

Drums have been used on the battlefield throughout history. They were used to wake soldiers in the morning, to call soldiers into formation, to report for duty and other routine exercises, but most importantly drums were used on the battlefield to communicate orders and signal troop movement.

This drum is emblazoned with the Royal Coat of Arms and battle honours of the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own). Both of the regiment's regular battalions were converted to machine gun battalions in 1937, and the 2nd Battalion was deployed straight to France at the outbreak of World War Two to provide 'Corps Troops' for reinforcing hard-pressed units. It was then evacuated in June 1940 and spent the next four years in Britain, re-equipping and re-training.