The Collection

The Museum houses a range of old musical instruments which have been used in military bands over the years, some of which developed into the instruments in use today. Some, on the other hand, fell into disuse as other,better inventions came long in their stead. Below is a selection of the items currently on display.
Amongst the most interesting historical exhibits are:
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Music book found next to a dead drummer boy on the battlefield at Waterloo
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A bugle believed to have been sounded at Waterloo
Trumpet, spurs and medals of Trumpet Major Gray of the 8th Hussars, carried at the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea, 1854.
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Serpent Circa. 1800
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Hybrid Trumpet
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The Clarinets
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The Ophicleide
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The Oboes
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The Flutes
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Royal Kent Bugle 1830
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Slide Trumpets

Almost unique is the collection of the whole family of saxophones, including the giant bass saxophone. Very few of the specific type on display are known to exist in collections, which makes our the more important.
The Museum holds the stand banners and drums of many of the regimental bands which have long since disappeared into the history books.
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Drums & Banners
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Stand Banners of The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Queen's Lancashire Regiment
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The Queen's Bays
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Drum: 1st The Royal Dragoons
Kettledrum Banner of the 21st Lacers, along with a model of the regiment's mounted band illustrating how the banner was used.





​A pocket watch belonging to Bandsman Thomas Rendle VC, of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was awarded The Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the First World War
There is an extensive collection of model bands, painted by the late Harry Harding MBE.