The band of the Household Cavalry (colour photo)

The band of the Household Cavalry. The Household Cavalry, which consists of the Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards, each with histories reaching back to the seventeenth century, is famous for the many ceremonial duties performed by its two regiments. As shown in our picture, the mounted bandsmen of these regiments wear the traditional costume with the Royal Arms and Monogram embodied in its design. The silver kettledrums of the Royal Horse Guards, carried on either side of the horse, were presented to the regiment by King George III. It is interesting to note that music has been closely associated with military custom from time immemorial, and regimental bands play an important part in military pageant and ceremonial. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy, Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.