Muffled drums at a funeral, RN School of Music (colour photo)

Muffled drums at a funeral, RN School of Music. The last respects paid to a member of the senior service are most impressive. In the actual funeral procession, the drums, draped in black, are muffled, a custom reminiscent of the ringing of muffled peals of church bells. The procession marches with arms reversed and, as a final salute, three volleys are fired, the "Last Post" is sounded and is immediately followed by the bugle call "Rouse." Our picture shows the muffled drums of the Royal Marines on the occasion of the funeral of the victims of R101 disaster, October 1930. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy, Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.