Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0132
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A Short Hislury oft/1:: 9th/121h Lancers have the date 1903 on publications, but again they must date before this time, Controversy must be mainly raised by the Regimental Hymns of the 12th Lancers. These were, to quote the History of the Regiment, “, . . presented to the 12th Light Dragoons in 1793 by Pope Pius VI in recognition of its outstanding behav- iour while serving at Civita Vecchia in Italy." The hymns were played at watch setting every night from that date, except for a short time during the Crimean War when the Russian Hymn was, for obvious reasons, not played. However, in a footnote, a mention is made that these hymns were, in fact, a penance imposed on the Regiment by the Duke of W'ellington for mis- conduct during the Peninsular War. There are several trumpet calls which were peculiar to both the foundation Regiments. One — “Stables” — massed as a fanfare was played by both the 9th and 12th and is still played now. The 12th Lancers played a fanfare for their Ofiicers Dress for Dinner on dinner nights called “Blackbirds”. Although there is no record of the origin of this, the custom has been continued by the Regiment. A Harmonised Mess Call was played by the 9th Lancers on regimental dinner nights but this is now out of use. In 1960 the Bandmaster, Mr Keeling, adopted the Regimental Calls of the two Regiments to make the 9/12Lh Lancers Regimental Call now used by trumpeters. The origin ofmueh of the music ofthe foundation Regiments has been lost and a lot of it is no longer played, But in order not to forget it the Band try to use as much as remains from time to time. (Quoted with kind permission from an article by Mr Keeling) 128 |
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