The uniforms worn by drummers of the 79th Cameron Highlanders were elaborate and distinctive. There was a drummer for each of the 12 companies so clothing and equipping each of them must have been a costly business. The sketches in this illustration are copies made by Cecil Lawson of drawings from life by Auguste Raffet at Gibraltar on 15 Sep 1847. The drummers’ jackets were richly decorated with lace that had a repeating pattern of a thistle design. The shoulder wings had green, blue, yellow and white stripes.
The drum appears to be brass with a crowned garter design having a trophy of arms, and a scroll above with the regimental title and one below with WATERLOO inscribed. The bugle, also played and carried by the drummer, has green cords and tassels. At the top of the page is something that at first glance looks like a flute or fife but may be a belt. The short sword carried by the drummers is well recorded from every angle.
