The Drummer, 1820 (c)

Coloured etching after Henry Alken, 1820 (c).

Flogging was a feature of British Army life until 1881 when it was abolished. Many senior officers thought flogging was the only way to maintain discipline in the ranks. It was the drummer's duty to administer a flogging to a soldier who had been found guilty of a crime because they had rhythm and very strong arms from playing the drums. Until 1812 the number of lashes was unlimited and occasionally totalled over 1000.