Item 2016.251 - British Army Grenadier Guards Drummer Tunic

Identity area

Reference code

2016.251

Title

British Army Grenadier Guards Drummer Tunic

Date(s)

  • 1989 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1

Context area

Name of creator

Grenadier Guards

Administrative history

Repository

Westminster Menswear Archive

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

British Army Grenadier Guards drummers dress tunic in red facecloth wool. The front of the jacket is decorated with horizontal stripes of white woven tape - called lace - which decrease in width from the shoulder to the waist. The lace is woven with a repeated pattern of blue fleur-de-lis. The lace is also sewn in an upwards-pointed chevron pattern down the sleeves, on the wings at the shoulders, over the seams down the sleeves, around the collar, and over the seams on the back of the tunic. It fastens with two metal hooks and eyes at the neck and eight silver-coloured metal buttons (one missing) with the Grenadier Guards Elizabeth II emblem and 'FIRMIN LONDON' on the underside. There are four of the same buttons on each cuff, two on the back waist, eight on the back tails and two smaller ones on the epaulettes. The cuffs are faced in blue wool cloth as are the epaulettes. The stand collar and edges of the shoulder wings are trimmed in blue and white fringing. It has two large brass-coloured metal hooks at the back waist for a belt (missing). The right sleeve shoulder has a goldwork badge of a drum, the left has a synthetic fabric printed badge of a Union Jack flag. Torso and sleeves lined in white twill fabric with circular quilting stitches around the armholes. The skirts are lined in red fabric. Staining and handwritten marks on the lining. Inside stand collar stained. Wear and fraying to some of the lace and fringing.
Country of Design: United Kingdom
Country of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Keywords: Ceremonial uniform, dress uniform, military, musicians

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      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Label: Tunic Mans / Grenadier Guards / Drummer / Name: Dmr Edwards / Height: 6' 2" / Warrant No: BC 162637 / [measurements] / Kashket & Partners Ltd / SL33A / 4227
      Materials: wool, cotton
      Measurements:
      Chest 105cm
      Waist 100cm
      Centre back length from nape 79cm
      Outer arm 64cm
      Inner arm 48cm
      Shoulder to neck 15cm
      Inside collar circumference 39cm

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      Note

      Invisible Men exhibition label:

      GRENADIER GUARDS DRUMMERS TUNIC
      Kashket & Partners Ltd
      1989

      Historically, army drummers conveyed orders on the battlefield and were dressed in distinctive uniforms. Grenadier Guards drummers dress tunics are decorated with shoulder wings and horizontal stripes of white woven tape, called lace, with a pattern of fleur-de-lis.

      Wool
      Archive no. 2016.251

      Note

      From Inside the Westminster Menswear Archive:

      GRENADIER GUARDS TUNIC
      Kashket & Partners Ltd
      1989
      Historically, army drummers were responsible for conveying orders on the battlefield and wore distinctive uniforms. The tunics worn by the drummers of the Grenadier Guards are embellished with horizontal stripes of white woven tape, known as lace, which decrease in width from the shoulder to the waist. The lace is woven with a blue fleur-de-lis in a repeating pattern. Additionally, the lace is sewn in an upward-pointing chevron pattern down the sleeves, on the shoulder wings, over the seams down the sleeves, around the collar and over the seams on the back of the tunic. The tunic originally belonged to Drummer Edwards, as indicated by the interior label. Edwards was six foot two inches tall, and his measurements at the time the tunic was made are printed on the internal label.
      Wool
      Archive no. 2016.251

      Alternative identifier(s)

      Alternative Identifier

      U.CU.GB6 - 2016

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