Photograph of the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Brigades of Guards

"My grandfather, Thomas Patrick Kenny, was in the Irish Guards and I inherited the photograph after my grandmother died. My grandfather is in the photo but unfortunately I don’t know which man he is. I do know he’s the one with the hat! The photograph is still in the original frame my grandfather had it in. As a child, I was always fascinated by the photograph as it is very long and very narrow, altogether very unusual. There are nearly 300 men in the photograph, all dressed in uniform with a busby hat, just like the palace guards in London still wear today. My grandfather fought in World War I in the Somme, and subsequently went on to become an inspector of postmen. The photograph is produced by Panora LTD, 60 Doughty Street, London. It reads, ‘Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Brigade of Guards, March 1917’, and it is numbered 1468. The photograph has become a permanent fixture on my wall."