The date of this photo is not known for sure but may well have been taken around the same time as the photo of the Drumhorse 1912. The dating, estimated by the National Army Museum, would place them in India, but the fact that they wear the home service brass helmet casts doubt on the date. The normal headgear for Indian service at this time was the spiked Wolseley helmet as seen on the ground in front of the seated bandsmen in Band in India 1911. The grey drumhorse was adopted by the KDG in 1904 while the regiment was stationed at Aldershot. They remained there until they sailed to India in 1908.
The 24 musicians are formed in two ranks behind the drumhorse, and the bandmaster who is on the left of the photo. He is the only one wearing white gauntlets. None of them carry swords. They all have white leather pouch-belts with white pouches on their backs.
The photo was reproduced in The Wonder Book of Soldiers (Fourth Edition, published by Ward Lock & Co during WW1). It was taken or processed by Gale & Polden Ltd. Aldershot.
