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"British Royal Light Marine Infantry Musicians" Topic


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Comments or corrections?

Robert Burke04 Mar 2018 6:08 p.m. PST

In the 1850s and 1860s, did the British Royal Marine Light Infantry have drummers, buglers, or both?

I'm assuming that they didn't carry colors, but please let me know if they did.

Thanks.

princeman04 Mar 2018 7:22 p.m. PST

This link shows in 1804 that each company had 6 drummers.
royal-marines.net/1800.html
This link shows their colors.
link

Grelber04 Mar 2018 9:24 p.m. PST

While the RMLI had standards, I think these stayed at the depot in England, and did not accompany units on campaign. Unfortunately, I can't find a picture or statement to that effect on my computer tonight.

Grelber

Nick Stern Supporting Member of TMP06 Mar 2018 8:52 a.m. PST

From Wikipedia History of the Royal Marines: "In these Naval Brigades, the function of the Royal Marines was to land first and act as skirmishers ahead of sailors trained as conventional infantry and artillery. This skirmishing was the traditional function of light infantry." I imagine light infantry used bugles and not drums to communicate orders in the field.

Nick Stern Supporting Member of TMP06 Mar 2018 9:08 a.m. PST

From the Victorian Wars Form: And here is a RMLI (Boy) Drummer (but titled 'Bugler' at the time of the photo in 1897, as in all 'Light Infantry' units). So, both drummers and buglers?

Tommy2006 Mar 2018 4:54 p.m. PST

IIRC drummers and buglers were one in the same. The remaining question being what instrument did they carry in the field at the time in question. As light infantry, I suspect bugles, but haven't found evidence either way.

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