Original British WWI Regimental Drum of The Queen’s Royal 9th Lancers Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Dating from the end of World War One judging from the painted Battle Honors this is a beautifully hand painted Regimental snare side drum made by the official Makers George Potter & Company of Aldershot.

The body of the drum can be found the painted artist’s signature of “A. COLLINS“. There is also maker’s nameplate for George Potter & Company. The body of the drum is painted a rich scarlet with the title of the Regiment and all the battle honors picked out in gold, black and blue. This traditional side drum stands 14″ high and 15″ across. Both drum skins are in excellent condition. There is very slight paint loss to the top red and blue wooded drum hoop, while the lower hoop appears perfect.

It should be noted that George Potter & Co. closed in the 1990s and hand painted Regiment drums are now essentially a thing of the past. Unfortunately, today almost all drums use decals.

A wonderful display set that is covered with a 24″ circle of glass becomes a most impressive coffee table and remains entirely authentic.

The 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers, or the Delhi Spearmen, were a cavalry regiment of the British Army. They are best known for their roles in the Indian mutiny of 1857 and for their part in the North African campaign of World War II including the retreat to and the battle of El Alamein in 1942.

The regiment was raised in 1715 as the 9th Dragoons to help counter the 1st Jacobite Rebellion. In 1783 it became the 9th. Light Dragoons and fought in the Irish Rebellion of 1796, the River Plate expedition in 1803 and the occupation of Montevideo and the Peninsula War, in Portugal and Spain with Wellington in 1811-13.

In 1816 they became the 9th Lancers and later received the distinguished honor of adding “Queen’s Royal” to their title referring to Queen Adelaide, the consort to King William IV in 1830.

In the Victorian era they fought the 2nd Anglo-Sikh war of 1848/1849, in the Indian Mutiny of 1857 where they partook in the seizure of Delhi and the seizure and relief of Lucknow. They received the nickname of “The Delhi Spearman” by the Sepoy mutineers. As a result of the Sepoy Rebellion the Regiment received 12 Victoria Crosses more than any other Cavalry Regiment.

They took part in the Third Afghan War and received a battle honor for Kandahar 1880.

They partook in the Boer War of 1899-1902 and throughout the First World War receiving Battle honors for Aisne 1914, Ypres 1914/15, Arras 1917/18 and Cambrai 1917/18.