Before motorised transport became widespread, drummers played a key role in military conflicts. The drum cadences provided set a steady marching pace, and elevated troop morale on the battlefield. In some armies drums also assisted in combat by keeping cadence for firing and loading drills with muzzle loading guns. Military drummers were also employed on the parade field, when troops passed in review, and in various ceremonies including ominous drum rolls accompanying disciplinary punishments. Children also served as drummer boys well into the nineteenth century, though less commonly than is popularly assumed, as due to the nature of the job experienced older men were preferred. Drummers are no longer employed in battle, but their ceremonial duties continue, each Sunday the Governor’s parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea is formed up for inspection preceded by a 'Drummers Call'.