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Military Music in Britain
The Diary of a Victorian Bandsman
British publishers of military music 1770-1880
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The Diary of a Victorian Military Bandsman
Transcribed by Helen Barlow
William Shepherd, ‘Reminiscences of 54 Years with 1st Devon Militia’, [c. 1907]
read out the sentence and then the Drum Major was busy for 2 or 3 minutes.
their names are Western, Holman & Way
Musquetry in those days are very different from what it is now, no such thing as Preliminary Old fashiond Musquets and round Ball, we had to go 7 miles to shoot close by the lighthouse.
Horse and Van followed the Regt with Bread Cheese and Barrels of Beer.
as soon as we got there rested a little while, then the Shooting commence when Half the ammunition was fired the men were served with refreshments which occupied about 1 hour.
then they commence firing off the remainder when all done.
all sorts of Games was carried on such as Running. Jumping. Wrestling.
when all over we commence our March home Band & Drums playing alternately the Men singing and with the Targets Hoisted on the Rifles as Banners it is what you may call a proper days outing I forgot to mention that the Targets was linen ones thickly coated with Whitening when a Ball
[end of page 7]
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