BRITISH ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 10

BRITISH ARMY

MANY AMENITIES MONTH’S HOLIDAY ON PAY The popular misconception that a soldier receives less than a man on the dole was removed by Major-general D. J C. K. Bernard, Director of Recruiting ana Organisation at the War Office, in an interview with a representative of the Daily Telegraph. The chief factors militating against recruiting for the Regular Army, he said,, were:-—The fact that Army pay appears to be less than a man receives on the dole; the difficulty which a man finds in obtaining employment when leaving the Army; and the dislike of soldiering abroad for long periods. "As to the first point," said General Bernard, "it is not easy to make it clear to men who think of joining the Army that the pay they receive is only a small part of the benefits they really derive from being soldiers. The benefits and amenities which a soldier receives free are many.

“On enlistment he receives a complete outfit—uniform, underclothing, boots, brushes, towels, razor, etc. ' To maintain this in good repair and to defray washing, cleaning, and haircutting expenses he receives a monthly allowance of 3s 9d for the first year and afterwards an amount varying according to rank and the corps with which he is serving. He has free food —three good meals a, day—he is housed in well-lit and well-ventilated rooms, and provided with a clean bed and .bedding. Every soldier gets a month’s holiday each year on full pay, plus an allowance of Is lid a day towards the cost of his food. When he is proceeding on leave he can travel on the railway at reduced rates. Other benefits mentioned were:— Baths with hot and cold water available at convenient hours. Medical and dental treatment. Except where the disability is due to his own fault, the soldier receives full pay while undergoing treatment. Educational instruction up to the equivalent of matriculation standard. The soldier is encouraged to further his education, and on obtaining a second-class certificate receives an extra 3d a day. Physical training under qualified instructors. Gymnasium kit is provided. Organised games are a part of Army life, and all men have an opportunity of taking part - without cost. In addition to these benefits the soldier receives, on enlistment, 14s a week in the case of non-tradesmen. With educational proficiency, this is increased to 15s 9d per week. With proficiency in military duties, the pay increases to 17s 6d at the end of the first year, and to 21s at the end of the third year If, when trained, the man goes in for promotion, his weekly pay increases with eaclrstep up—corporal 31s 6d, sergeant 425, stan-sergeant 565, and regimental sergeant-major 84s. General Bernard said that the difficulty of obtaining employment when a man left the Army was a very real deterrent, and the question of making vocational training more general than at present was being considered.