Original British WWI 1st Battalion Welsh Foot Guards Regiment Presentation Drum For Commander Kenneth R. Force Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a WWI era bass drum from the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The Welsh Guards, part of the Guards Division, is one of the Foot Guards regiments of the British Army. It was founded in 1915 as a single-battalion regiment, during the First World War, by Royal Warrant of George V. Shortly after the regiment’s formation, it was deployed to France where it took part in the fighting on the Western Front until the end of the war in November 1918.

The bass drum features a 5″ x 2″ sterling silver presentation plaque that reads: “PRESENTED TO / CDR. KENNETH R. FORCE / FROM THE BAND H.M. WELSH GUARDS”. Drum retains original skinheads, ropes, rims, and blancoed buff leather tugs. Shell bears a fantastic hand painted regimental emblem and battle streamers of the Regiment from WWI. Measures 28″ across and 17″ high.

Drum is overall very solid and nice with no restoration to the paint. It is missing 1 of 3 ball type wood legs for support, and the top skin is present.

A wonderful example ready for further research and display.

The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of George V in order to include Wales in the national component to the Foot Guards, “..though the order to raise the regiment had been given by the King to Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, on 26 February 1915.” They were the last of the Guards to be created, with the Irish Guards coming into being in 1900. Just three days later, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards mounted its first King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 – St David’s Day.

On 17 August 1915, the 1st Battalion sailed for France to join the Guards Division to commence its participation in the First World War. Its first battle was some months after its initial arrival, at Loos on 27 September 1915. The regiment’s first Victoria Cross came two years later in July 1917 awarded to Sergeant Robert Bye.