A Bugle is played at the Household Cavalry Museum for the first time since 1815
A former Life Guards musician, David Edwards, returned to the museum last week to play a field bugle which was last blown at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The sound was recorded by a team of musical experts from the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Music (The Bate Collection) as part of a project to capture the sounds of historical battles for the benefit of researchers and historians. A copy of the bugle call will also be made available to the Household Cavalry Museum for the enjoyment of visitors.
The bugle, which is permanently on display at the museum, has a fascinating history. It was last played by John Edwards, who blew the call for the decisive charge by the Life Guards at the Battle of Waterloo when he was just 16 years of age. He joined the 1st Life Guards at the age of 9 years and served for a further 32 years.
The museum is a living museum for the Household Cavalry. It tells the story of real soldiers and is at the centre of where these soldiers carry out their duties in Whitehall. Located in original eighteenth century stables, the museum tells the personal stories of the people who make up the Household Cavalry through displays, rare objects and an interactive multimedia guide.
The Household Cavalry Museum is a charity. Profits from the museum go directly to support Household Cavalry troopers and their families who have been adversely affected by current operational deployments.
The museum is located at Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX and is open daily from 10am.
Nearest underground: Charing Cross, Westminster, Embankment