Indian Bands for Wembley

Colonel Mackenzie Rogan inspects Indian bands ready for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley

A windy Wembley (presumably) plays host to Punjabi and Baluchi musicians of an unidentified military band in this attractively-shot item from the Topical Budget newsreel. The band are being inspected by Colonel Mackenzie Rogan in preparation for their appearance at the British Empire Exhibition. Col Rogan takes a close interest in the musicians' instruments, getting intimate with one player's bagpipes and another's saxophone, but the band - dignified and professional to a man - keep their eyes front and their minds on the job at hand.

Col Mackenzie Rogan was until 1920 Senior Director of Music of the Brigade of Guards, a post he had held for some 20 years, presiding over the music for Queen Victoria's funeral, Edward VII's coronation and funeral and the coronation of George V.