This discussion has been closed.
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Thursday, 25th June 2009
Something that came up in conversation. When did the British Army issue pay books, and what information did they carry. Any offers?
"When did the British Army issue pay books, and what information did they carry." ?
Not the faintest idea although I would guess that the answer is probably in the 19th Century.
What I do know however, from experience, is that the AB64 Part 2 , as it was known, contailed details of all pay that had been drawn and was filled in by the pay clerk at the actual time that the money was paid out.
Greetings GrumpyFred,
I'm not sure when they were introduced but by WW2 they contained as well as the usual stuff, i.e. Name, religion etc, courses attended, weapons training (including gas training), inoculations, awards, promotions, disciplinary record and any special skills, for example 'Battery sign writing.'
At the back of the book was the discharge form(I suspect most squaddies were more interested in that page than any other)and a space reserved for the Commanding Officers general comments of the soldiers service.
Thanks for those snippits. I once saw my Grandfathers from the Great War, but can't remember what was in it. Oh spruggles did yours say if you were married, and if so list your next of kin?
Greeting again GrumyFred,
Oh yes. Marital status, next of kin and address of same. That is all from memory mind. When I made my last move to a flat a couple of years ago I had to dispose of so many things including my father's pay book. Royal Artillery, 1941 - 1945.
spruggles, the things we throw out and come to regret.
Grumpy
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Friday, 26th June 2009
HiFred.
1830's if I remember rightly. I know the Duke of Wellington was still alive because he's supposed to have provided the name of a soldier for the sample page showing how it should be completed. Thomas Atkinson.
Thanks B D and everybody else who has thrown light on the subject. How many have stood on a parade square for Sunday Service and heard those words bellow across the square. "Roman Caholics and others fall out." Proving what we all knew, that God was Church of England. LOL
G F
GrumpyFred,
My own experiences of my first parade was when the Padre said 'R.C's and Jews fall out'. I must confess that I misunderstood, due to his poor pronunciation, his reference to the first part of the message for some time!
Regards Spruggs
You may be right on the R Cs and Jews.
Spruggles, Freedom is, "No more Church Parades on Sunday, no more asking for a Pass, you can tell that Sergeant Major to Shove his Passes up, and so on.
I still have my AB 64 part 1, Service and Record, actually AB 64 part 2 was the record of pay, (a mere pittance) but both referred to as Pay Book. If asked to produce your pay book unless on pay parade one produced AB 64 part 1 service and record.
Wikipedia has this, it is not clear whether the pay book was new in 1815 or whether it had been around for some time
Richard Holmes, in the prologue to Tommy (2005), states that in:
"1815 a War Office publication showing how the Soldier's Pocket Book should be filled out gave as its example one Private Thomas Atkins, No. 6 Troop, 6th Dragoons. Atkins became a sergeant in the 1837 version, and was now able to sign his name rather than merely make his mark."
The History message boards are now closed. They remain visible as a matter of record but the opportunity to add new comments or open new threads is no longer available. Thank you all for your valued contributions over many years.
or Β to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
The message board is closed for posting.
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Β© 2014 The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.