The Gong has an important part to play in the interior domestic economy, if one may use the term, of the British Army.
There is one set up at the main guard of practically every regiment in the Service, used for notifying the time every hour to the barracks in general, or it the regiment is under canvas, to the camp.
The main guard clock gives the time of day to the whole regiment for all duties and parades with an authority as autocratic and infallible as the Horse Guards’ clock itself, and the Gong, so to speak, is its general mouth piece.
Either the sentry on duty or, as in our photograph – taken at the main guard of the 3rd Hussars at the Cavalry Barracks, Aldershot – the Corporal of the Guard is charged with striking the Gong to announce the time hourly during the period for which each guard is mounted day by day.
The Navy and Army Illustrated – Aug 7th, 1896.
