Original WW1 era postcard of imposing Canadian Highlander wearing a leopard skin over his uniform of kilt and sporran as did Gordon Highlanders of Scotland. The soldier is a bandsman playing a bass drum (Caledonian written on the side of the drum) in the Corp of Drums. He was a Commonwealth soldier fighting overseas for "King and Country". Published as the World War Series. Posted 3rd November 1915,
This Canadian Highlander is wearing the ceremonial dress of Gordon Highlander bass drum player. The Corp of Drums consisted not just of side drummers but a bass drum. Later tenor drums were added. The bass drum itself was made of either aluminium or oak. According to George Potter and Co the makers of military drums, aluminium was a third of the weight of brass, and oak was best for hot and humid climates. The origin of the leopard skin was once thought to be a relic of former days when a black man was employed as time-beater and he wore exotic costume, but it is more likely to be the skin of an animal shot by an officer in India or Africa.
Size: 4580px × 6922px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © ThislifeThen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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