|
Chairman: J T Royley A.R.C.M.
Treasurer: S C H Crane
Secretary: C J Morris
Welcome to 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards Regimental Band Old Comrades Association.
With the demise of the regimental band after over three hundred years of servive in favour of a Corps band (The Dragoon Guards Band) in 1994, it was decided by certain members of the QDG band to form an old comrades association so that contact with friends past and present would not be lost forever. Since 1994 a healthy membership has been built up of ex musicians from all three regimental bands; 1st King's Dragoon Guards, The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) and 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, and we feel that there are plenty more out there to find. We are still looking for material relating to the bands and will continue to build this site up over the coming years. Within the site you will find information on the 1st King's Dragoon Guards 1685-1959, Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) 1685-1959, and 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards 1959-1994 regimental bands. Please stay and enjoy.
History
The regimental band of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards was formed on the 1st January 1959 by the amalgamation of two famous cavalry bands, 1st King's Dragoon Guards and The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards). From the outset the band was well equipped with a mixture of experienced musicians, and some national service men. In 1959 the regiment was given the catchment area of South Wales and the Border Counties (Herefordshire and Shropshire) for recruiting, and by 1969 it was extended to the whole of Wales.
Throughout its existence the band performed in many exciting locations such as; Ethiopia, Sharja, Nairobi, Mombassa, Aden, Canada and most of the European Countries. Apart from providing military pomp and martial music it also supplied combinations of big dance band, jazz band, show band, quartetes and trios, disco's and male voice choir.
Regimental Music:
Slow March. Mercadante and Rusty Buckles.
Quick March. Radetsky March and Rusty Buckles.
Regimental Badge:
1959 onwards.
Cap Badge. The Double-headed Eagle from the arms of the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria.
Collar Dogs. The word 'Bays' in old English lettering within a wreath of laurel, with the crown above the ends of the wreath. In gilt or guilding metal.
Shoulder Titles. QDG
The Uniform. 1959-1971.
No1 Dress. Blues.
Dark blue peaked cap with the band and piping in velvet The capbadge adopted is the capbadge of the King's Dragoon Guards, the double headed eagle from the arms of the Late Emperor of Austria Franz Josef I. The badge is in white metal. Blue tunic with buttons down the front and two front breast pockets, chain mail on the shoulders with shoulder titles in old English lettering QDG. Brass Queen's Bays collar badges. Rank chevrons worn on the right upper arm only with gold braid rank badge above the rank stripes, with the band lyre worn above this. White pouch belt same as the ceremonial pattern, aiguilettes worn on the left shoulder. Dark blue overalls with a broad white stripe, boots and spurs. In inclement weather a dark blue cloak with cobalt blue silk lining was worn.
Ceremonial Dress. 1971-1994.
Tunic. Scarlet with blue velvet facings.
Breeches. Blue with white stripe.
Helmet. Dragoon Guard pattern with white plume.
Dragoon helmet in brass with the figure I within the star on the front of the helmet and a white plume. Aiguillettes of yellow with two pendants are worn on the left shoulder. Scarlet tunic with blue velvet facings and the Austrian Knot in yellow cords on the sleeves, with the Bays' collar badges. A white waist belt with metal snake buckle is worn and the pouch belts carry the Bays' badge on the black patent leather pouch box. The trousers are close cut overalls of blue, with a broad white stripe, worn over black boots with regimental pattern spurs.
 |
|
QDG Showband 1979 Hohne Germany |
|
