RAF pay

[Jenjen]

Does anyone know how my father would have been paid during his service years, if at all? Would he be responsible for sending money back to my mother or was that handled by the RAF?
Jen

[Lesley Robertson]

Does anyone know how my father would have been paid during his service years, if at all? Would he be responsible for sending money back to my mother or was that handled by the RAF?
Jen

What time period are you interested in?
I know that my father, right up to the 1960s when he was a Warrant Officer, was given his money in a little brown envelope.

Lesley

[Terry Reeves]

It depends on whether they were living in married quarters or whether they were separated, ie the husband was serving a different part of the country or abroad without his wife. If they were together he would receive his pay in cash. If they were apart, it is likely that he would have made an allotment to her. This meant that he would agree to have a certain amount of money taken out of his pay weekly to be sent to his wife. His wife would receive an allotment book containing vouchers, which would be exchanged at her local post office for the appropriate amount of cash.

Terry Reeves

[Philippa_Harvey]

JenJen, here's my twopence worth - if it makes any difference because I can only speak about military in Australia, both during WWII and up until the 1980s.

When my father was serving during WWII he did serve overseas and an allotment was taken from his pay and sent to my mother each fortnight. He kept a very small portion for his pay for himself and this was probably the minimum amount allowed at the time.

My husband and I were both in the Army up until to our marriage. At that point I had to take my discharge because women were not permitted to continue serving once they married. During our common service period we both got our money "in little brown packets" as mentioned, but once we were married Bill was compelled, by military regulations, to make an allotment to me. He was also compelled by the same law to keep a certain amount for himself. Maximum and minimum percentages were laid down very clearly. The money he set aside for me was deposited in a bank account and he got his little bit in said brown packet. This continued until he took his discharge after 20+ years.

I don't know how things work in other countries but I imagine (since it was the British Commonwealth) that there would be at least similarities.

Hope this helps a little?

Philippa

[Waitabit]

Oh Philippa, how lovely to find another who had to : "begone worthless one" before marrying. What hurt most was the Brits (married no less) who came out to Australia, & had no idea why we looked at them with green eyes.... Wraaf memories. Sorry i dumped my uniform tho' Summer Blue Linen', always a fashion statement.

BUT having my lovely babies was fair compensation.

[Neil Wilson]

In the 70's whilst training, we had to line up for pay parade and the cash was counted out and handed over once you signed for it. After that, I had mine paid directly into the bank.

[Lincoln Lad]

Neil, same here, I joined in Feb 75, and had cash given on pay parades. Cannot remember when I had to get bank account for salary, but before 1978 though. After that all pay had to be credited to bank account.

[Philippa_Harvey]

Don't want to hijack the forum, but hey - Waitabit - so nice to meet someone who I guess could be called "sister in arms"!!!!

Our best days were those associated with the services and we (almost) regret Bill snatching his time when he did. However the whole face of the service had changed and by staying he almost guaranteed he would be moved from a technical area which he loved into an area of which he knew absolutely nothing. Still, we have fantastic memories, had great experiences, saw lots of new places, and still have special friends made over half a century ago.

Does the WRAAF still exist? I know WRAAC has disappeared into the mist of time and any female who enlists now is just absorbed into the all encompassing "army". Shame really.

Philippa

[Waitabit]

Hi Phillipa, back at you.
I could have dictated what you just wrote.. !

Yes we still have WRAAFS but what they do now is unknown..More girls getting iinto flying these days, unsure whether they (recruits) still train here at Edinburgh or elsewhere.

Wouldn't have missed it for worlds, oddly I tried for the Army at 17, flunked becauseI showed up too nervous. Same Doctor passed me at 18 for the WRAAF.

[Philippa_Harvey]

Waitabit, we have so much in common on this subject that it's incredible.

However, being a kind, considerate and basically good person (I've also been known to tell the teeniest little fib occasionally) I'll resist the temptation to carry on completely off the subject and just say it's great to meet you.

Will undoubtedly come across you very often on the forum.

Take care,

Philippa