This photo from the Norfolk Museums Collection is named ‘black drummer cords’. Most infantry regiments that were non-royal had green cords but the Norfolks may well have had black as a distinction to commemorate the death of Sir John Moore at Corunna in 1809. The 1881 Dress Regulations authorised eight regiments the distinction of black lines on officer’s lace. The drummers of the Norfolk Regiment had, from 1859 to 1871 a central black line in their lace in memory of Sir John. When the officers were granted their black lines in 1881 the regiment applied for the restoration of the black line for drummers’ lace, but it was refused. The black cords and tassels may well have been compensation for that refusal.
Regimental Details | Band and Drummers
