Before the 1930s, the British Army used one-valved ‘Aida’ trumpets made by Hawkes & Son. They were of limited musical use and were replaced by three-valved chromatic trumpets, sometimes called ‘Coronation’ trumpets, since they were designed and made by Boosey & Hawkes specifically for the Coronation of George VI in May 1937.
These instruments were sold under both the Boosey & Hawkes and Besson names until 1999. In 2000, the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force commissioned Smith-Watkins to create a new range of Fanfare Trumpets.
These instruments are used throughout the British Military and Police Forces, North and South America, the Middle East and Australasia.