Tommy’s Pay in War Time.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XII, 22 September 1900, Page 552

Tommy’s Pay in War Time.

Many people are under the impression that when Tommy Atkins is ordered off to war his pay is stopped until all the fighting is over, when it is presented to him in a lump sum. What really happens is this: No change is made in the paying of soldiers from what is done in the piping times of peace, except he is actually fighting when pay time comes round. In this case the operation is postponed until the fighting is over, when the first suitable opportunity is seized for serving out the hard-earned money.

Men are often found on the battlefield with quite a little sum of money on them. Tommy has not much opportunity of buying luxuries when engaged in fighting—like he is situated at. the present moment—and rather than carry about their pay from day to day a great many men leave their cash in charge of a guaid. »o!d off for the purpose of looking after the £ s. d. of the regiment. It is not an unusual occurrence for money with which Tommy and his officers are to be paid to be sent to the front under a special guard.