Question on Horse Guard Palace Parade

DanielLockhart · Question on Horse Guard Palace Parade

My wife and I were watching the parade at the Horse Guards Palace (1996) and I explained that the buglers also are drummers and get a special red strip on their trousers. She would like to know if this is also true for the bass drummer and the group of 8 trumpiters in front of the massed band, though I couldn't see any reason why they shouldn't.

The second question is about the last rank of four gentlemen following the bands as they are not carrying any instruments. They appear like tits on a bull, interesting but no purpose...... The world abounds with the uninformed......

Thanks,
Daniel

MrJpig

Brilliant question Daniel......wish I had the knowledge to answer it but I am busy stitching myself up after laughing so much at your last comment....If only you knew!!

I`m sure Admin (DELI) will have a sensible answer

Thanks for signing in

Andy

General Melchett

Right Daniel, As no one else has answered so far, I'll take the leap and help out! I'm sure I will be corrected and added dits/ stories will join in along the way.... I'll start your question from the front of the Band:

Firstly, the Drummers and Buglers: As you correctly noted the Drummers have a thin stripe, whereas the rest of the Band all have a thick stripe. Originally, the Corps was two distinct units:
Royal Marines Artillery
Royal Marines Light Infantry

They were not amalgamated until 1923. As seperate units, each had distinct uniforms. The Artillery had a more "Cavalry" feel to it, as was fitting for an Artillery unit, and cavalry style tunics. Hopefully we can get a pic printed. The Light Infantry, at this time provided the "sea soldiers" and also Bands afloat, they were dressed obviously in a style befitting a light unit. However, it was from the Artillery that the larger "better" bands came. I am cutting the story short to save space! So when amalgamation came bits of uniform were drawn from every quarter to end up with the new ceremonial kit.
Helmet: Wolsey Pattern adopted circa 1912
Tunic: Light infantry pattern EXCEPT Drum Majors who kept the Artillery Pattern
Trousers: Band (Artillery Thick stripe) Buglers (Light Infantry Thin Stripe)

This is not the definitive version, just an abridged to get everyone started on a Sunday morning. Wait out for pics of various bits of kit.
Forgot to say: The Artillery tunic was also worn by Band (not Buglers) memebers of the Royal Yacht until it's (and the Band's!) De Commissioning

Cheers,
Jos

ps As for the people "bookending" at the back: Yep, tits on a fish

pps If you want more info there are many books on the subject "The Royal Marines Band Service" by John Ambler is a good starting point though!

MrJpig

Well Done Melchers

Brilliant answer.

sticky blue

And who said he was asleep during the Corps history lessons

General Melchett

I had a lot of questions on it in my Viva for my M1's! And it's all still stuck in there, I can't even drink it away!

RAB

lesbryan

Thats a brilliant informative piece meltchers.I evan learned something there

Co-admin

Well done Melch, you have answered the question very well. NO wonder you passed your viva!

The guys at the back of the band are Bandmasters (either Warrant Officer 1 or 2) with one or two of them being Bugle Majors (these are like Bandmasters for the buglers and like Bandmasters WO1 or WO2). The Bugle Major comes to the front and conducts the bugle fanfare and 'oversees' mess beatings (the drum display) the other Bugle Major would be there in case something happened to the first. The Bandmasters could, if required, deputise for the Director of Music who conducts.

The buglers also have the dress cords on their chest

In times of war, the bugle was a battlefield method of giving orders and the bugler could be mounted and ride with the CO or ADJ. The dress cords would be removed and tied round the front legs of the officers horse if he dismounted to prevent it from running off or being spooked in battle.

Here is the drum major wearing the Artillery trousers and Artillery (also called Royal Yacht / Divisional ) Tunic

DanielLockhart

Thank you for all the information. Now I feel a bit foolish finding out that my Grandfather would have been a tit! Maybe that part of my military training coming through, even 30 years on.

We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, for the ungrateful;
have been doing so much, for so long, with so little;
that we can do anything with nothing at all.
(unoffical USAF maintenance man's creed)

FFoglamp

I am very impressed with this thread. The question was a good one, and the answers from all sources of current and ex-bandy-dom, are well constructed, and very informative.

I am glad we have all agreed that bandmasters are tits, and glad I got out before I may have became one.

Pusser

Here is the drum major wearing the Artillery trousers and Artillery (also called Royal Yacht / Divisional ) Tunic

Now there's a thing. I always thought the Royal Yacht/Divisional Tunic was a completely different fish to anything worn by a Drum Major. Yacht Tunics did not have those frog things on 'em at the front.

Sort it out, someone, it is going to keep me awake!

MrJpig

admin

Well pointed out Pusser. I should have said the back is the same but th ecut of the tunic more like the Drum Majors. I'll look and find a Divi tunic photo.

lesbryan

Just veering of the subject a little.How much and where can i get hold of tickets for this years beating th retreat .Me and the wife are thinking of a week in london to corraspond with the following event we have not quite our minds yet

admin

The tickets will be on sale after Mountbatten Festival of Music through 'Ticketmaster'.

lesbryan

Thanks very much

Spacerunner

I had always assumed that Bunglers had the thin infantry stripe on their trousers as they joined the RM General Duties with an SQ of Bugler. They were even issued with 'fighting orders' ( webbing equipment ) in J Wing on entry. They used to have RM numbers and not RMB numbers, don't know if that is still the case.