The Instruments of Battle

“The hitherto forgotten story of the development of the regimental band, mainly drummers and buglers. A rare piece of social history” ( Books Monthly ). The Instruments of Battle examines in detail the development and role of the British Army’s fighting drummers and buglers, from the time of the foundation of the army up to the present day. While their principal weapon of war was the drum and bugle—and the fife—these men and boys were not musicians as such, but fighting soldiers who took their p