Trumpet Major, Field Battery, Honourable Artillery Company, 1895 (c)

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

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the oldest regiment in the British Army and traces its origins back to 1537.

The Trumpet Major was the senior trumpeter within a unit. They used both trumpets and bugles, which each had a slightly different pitch. Trumpeters were responsible for sounding calls that signalled changes in the daily routines of a unit, both in camp and also for relaying commanders' orders on the battlefield, whether to advance, retreat, cease fire and so forth.

This trumpet Major carries a bugle, whilst his trumpet is slung on his back. His rank badge is also clearly visible. He is mounted on a grey horse, part of a long standing tradition which enabled trumpeters to be readily identified on the battlefield.