Army band at Marlborough: cap and arm badge - and violins??

[Moonraker]

My latest acquisition is a postcard published  by a Marlborough, Wiltshire, photographer.

At least two cap-badges (one of which may be identifiable, please) and I'm guessing that the shoulder badges denote bandsmen. I would also guess that the men came up from Tidworth, an easy train journey on the Midland & South Western Railway.

At first I was surprised by the string instruments but I vaguely recall years ago posting another photograph of a band that included such instruments and was entertaining, and someone explained that this was not unusual. (Of course I can't find the post now ...)

[Knotty]

Looks like the Warwick’s, happy to be corrected.

[FROGSMILE]

Yes Royal Warwickshire Regiment’s famous Antelope badge.  Several of the bandsmen visible are wearing that badge. 

However, several of the other bandsmen have no regimental badge and are instead wearing the GS button with scarlet cloth circular backing worn as headdress insignia by the Training Reserve after it was formed in 1917.  I’ve never seen bandsmen so dressed and did not know that the TR had any Bands.  It’s quite an intriguing image.

One lone figure wears a cap badge of either General Service type, or Manchester Regiment.  Usually I can tell the difference but in this case it’s more difficult.  On balance though I think it’s the former.

Edited 8 July , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[RNCVR]

39 minutes ago, Moonraker said:

My latest acquisition is a postcard published  by a Marlborough, Wiltshire, photo

At first I was surprised by the string instruments but I vaguely recall years ago posting another photograph of a band that included such instruments and was entertaining, and someone explained that this was not unusual. (Of course I can't find the post now ...)

Many musicians in that time were "multihanded" - ie: they could play more than one instrument, & many wind instrumentalists could also play string instruments. With this ability & talent they could make more money when playing gigs "off the strength".

Many Royal Marine musicians played both wind & string & I do recall reading somewhere that at one time during the pre war period entrant musicians had to be able to be able to play both prior to entry. The RM Band Service had in that timeframe some very capable string players, & ships bands carried both a band & orchestra all in one complement, ie: the Clarinet player(s) also doubled on Violin.

Edited 7 July , 2021 by RNCVR

[RNCVR]

I see in the band\orchestra at least 6 Violins( with the good possibility of a Viola present), a Cello, a Double Bass,

a Clarinet, a Bassoon, a Horn or Mellophone, 2 Cornets seated back right. The Drummer could be standing back row with his head slightly tilted.

So we are looking at a small orchestra here.

Thanks for posting I always love viewing band\orchestra photos!

Bryan

 

Edited 7 July , 2021 by RNCVR

[mancpal]

I'd say General Service cap badge, I'm sure its not Manchesters as it doesn't appear square enough.

 

Simon

[FROGSMILE]

38 minutes ago, mancpal said:

I'd say General Service cap badge, I'm sure its not Manchesters as it doesn't appear square enough.

 

Simon

Thanks for the confirmation Simon, I felt that on balance as well.

Edited 7 July , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[Moonraker]

Thanks. Good to see you've been using your grey matter in my absence - and that the photo interested two or three of you.

Royal Warwickshire battalions were present in the Salisbury Plain area throughout the war, but not at Tidworth in 1917. The 3/5th, 3/6th, 3/7th & 3/8th (as 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th reserve battalions) were at Windmill Hill (an easy march to Ludgershall Station on the M&SWJR in May/June(?),1916 (5th absorbed 6th, and 7th absorbed 8th on September 1, 1916), leaving early 1917?.

However the17th battalion was at Chisledon (eight miles north of Marlborough and also on the  M&SWJR) from November 1915 to August 1916 and became the 92nd Training Reserve Battalion there on September 1, 1916. And the 11th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry moved there on March 23, 1916, becoming the 95th Training Reserve Battalion there on September 1, 1916; the 95th became 53rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Chisledon on October 27, 1917. (Confusing, eh?)

(BTW the photographer, E H Roberts, published some other interesting cards including those of the Marlborough College OTC and of local camps for other schools' OTCs, as well as of military transport parked in the middle of the town's very wide High Street.)

 

[FROGSMILE]

15 minutes ago, Moonraker said:

Thanks. Good to see you've been using your grey matter in my absence - and that the photo interested two or three of you.

Royal Warwickshire battalions were present in the Salisbury Plain area throughout the war, but not at Tidworth in 1917. The 3/5th, 3/6th, 3/7th & 3/8th (as 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th reserve battalions) were at Windmill Hill (an easy march to Ludgershall Station on the M&SWJR in May/June(?),1916 (5th absorbed 6th, and 7th absorbed 8th on September 1, 1916), leaving early 1917?.

However the17th battalion was at Chisledon (eight miles north of Marlborough and also on the  M&SWJR) from November 1915 to August 1916 and became the 92nd Training Reserve Battalion there on September 1, 1916. And the 11th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry moved there on March 23, 1916, becoming the 95th Training Reserve Battalion there on September 1, 1916; the 95th became 53rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Chisledon on October 27, 1917. (Confusing, eh?)

(BTW the photographer, E H Roberts, published some other interesting cards including those of the Marlborough College OTC and of local camps for other schools' OTCs, as well as of military transport parked in the middle of the town's very wide High Street.)

 

The odds seem good for the photo to show the 92nd TRB forming up then, it's most intriguing that some TRB appear to have had bands.  I can't think of any other that I've seen though.