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The Drums of the Royal Fusiliers on the march to the Battle of the Alma
20th September 1854: Having disembarked on shore in the Crimea, the British Army advanced on the following day in columns of brigades. It was a fine autumn morning as they marched across an uncultivated, treeless plain towards the River Alma. The 7th, 19th, 23rd, 33rd, 77th and 88th Regiments composed the Light Division, which was preceded by a set of Drums and Fifes. On their right, the 2nd Division was preceded by a small band.
During the stifling heat of that morning, the music gradually subsided as the cholera victims succumbed, and the musicians took up all the stretcher cases. Quietness came over the whole Army, and about noon they topped a rise and saw the Russian army lined up to receive them on the heights of Alma.
Drums in those days bore the Royal Arms of Queen Victoria. Drawings by Ebsworth, c1850, show the uniform worn by the red-coated Drummers of the 7th. On campaign, they carried sword, haversack, wooden water canteen and knapsack. Bandsmen wore white coatees.
On the right are seen a Staff Officer and an Officer of the 11th Hussars.
The picture was purchased by the WOs and Sgts Mess, 3rd Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1986.
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Owner: Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
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