17h/21st lancers
 

Hi All, Can the forum give me some information on the 17th/21st Regimental Band Chapka Plate? How long was it in existence and was it official or was it a
one off produced by the Regiment for the band
Thanks Garry.

Hi Garry

I cant answer your question right away, I will have to go through back issues of the regimental magazine Vedette and look for photos of the band wearing the plate. However there cant have been many made as they are hard to get, I once saw one that had been flattened and attached to a board on a UK dealers list which I didn't buy, I finally got one here in Aussie a couple of years ago from an auction down the country near Geelong.

However I believe the plates were worn up to the 1993 amalgamation (at least), I know that from this amalgamation the Lance Guard was turned out in all 4 full dress uniforms of the 17th, 21st,16th and 5th Lancers regiments.

Watch this space, but also the man to ask is Mac McConnell who served in the 17/21st and Queens Royal Lancers.

Regards

Phil.

Thanks Phil The reason for the interest was I viewed a video on u tube of the band playing at their barracks in Germany just before the amalgamation the video was was quite grainy could not make out what plate it was. Looking forward to more info.
Regards Garry.

Hi Gary the fibre glass lance caps were manufactured for all the Lancer bands in the early 1980s the band had there own distinctive plate made for the new caps lance guard still wore old style but by the late 1990 there was only the band style left. Heres mine I was given for restoring what was left. Phil is right about them being worn at Amalgamation they were in fact used by the QRL 1993 - 2015 and are still used to day on special occasions by RL.

Best Mac

Hi Mac, Many thanks for the info. Was the plate as well as the cap fiberglass? I see by your pic the plate scroll has the 17th /21st lances inscribed. After the amalgamation was the plate still worn along with the cap, or did it become obsolete after they joined the QRL band.
Regards Garry.

Thanks for this great info Mac! Another one to add to my wants list.

Mick

G'day Garry & Mick

Ive just got mine out of the cupboard where my 16 plates live, its a metal plate but not sure what type, the plate is struck as a single item, the back ground is a "gold" rayed plate with a rolled rim at the bottom, the Motto is raised and looks to be added to the plate but its not, its all one piece and is silver coloured, the 2 part scroll with the 17th / 21st LANCERS title is also silver coloured and is struck as part of the original plate.

The plate is 225mm wide at the base and is 123mm high and is slightly convex. If I could find a magnet Id tell you if its magnetic, but I cant at the moment so I cant say, but its pretty light so I doubt that it would be steel. The plate has 2 screw posts on the back as the original plates do but it did not come with the nuts or washers. It is a really well made plate.

Mick I will send you some photos and you can post them.

More to follow.

Regards

Phil.

Thanks Phil for the great info
Regards Garry

... couple of images.

Phil just sent me these pictures to post here.

Mick

Nice images ,It is looks quite a unique plate
I am sure there is not many about.
Many thanks,
Garry.

17th/21st Lancer Band
 

Phil,

Attached are three versions from my collection.

I've always wondered about the plain all brass type. As the similar version with the silvered motto is otherwise identical.

The 'Lancer Band' I assume was used post the closure of individual regimental bands, a cost saving exercise which continues to this day as bands disappear.

Well Griff and DB, you have put a cat amongst the pigeons so to speak, so theres an all brass plate and I suspect a new plate for the post 2015 amalgamation band. B***ger now theres 2 more to chase.

Whilst the Lancer band variation is obvious, who and/ or when was the all brass one issued or worn ?

Mac you've been holding out on me !!

Garry, thanks for starting the thread.

Keep on hunting

Regards

Phil.

PS, Ive now found a magnet and the plate is not magnetic, so its some sort of alloy, its quite light but also strong.

Hi Garry, again.

Ive now been through the back issues of The White Lancer and the Vedette from the late 1970's and up to 1993. In the journals up to 1981 the band is seen wearing Blues and peeked caps. The first photo of the band in full dress including Czapkas is the 1982 issue (page 42), the caption reads, The Regimental Band at Swinton Barracks, Summer 1981, ie June to August 1981. The band is seated under trees and 2 timpani drums are in the foreground.

It would therefore appear that the Czapkas were introduced in mid 1981.

I hope that this helps.

Regards

Phil.

From all the great info, I take it that the 17th 21st band plate was worn from 1982 till they became the Royal Lancers in 1993. After the amalgamation was the plate still worn till the new Royal Lancers band plate was introduced and if so what year?
Many thanks again.
Garry.