Snare drum of the 1st battalion, Royal Muster Fusiliers

Drummer Luttrell carried this drum throughout the Boer War, beating time of the marching soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

A photo in this gallery suggests both the youth of many drummers (they could enlist at 14) and one of the uses to which a snare drum could be put in the field – a desk to write a letter home.