Pay for soldiers' wives in 1914

Derbyshire Times 19 Sept 1914

NEW PAY FOR SOLDIERS' WIVES
Prime Ministers Statement
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that with regard to soldiers' separation allowances the Government had decided during the continuance of the war to adopt a scale based on a minimum allowance of 12s 6d a week, as against 11s 6d now. On that basis a wife with one child would receive 15s as compared with 12s 10d under the old scale; with two children 17s 6d against 14s 7d; with three children 20s against 16s 4d; and four children 22s against 17s 6d. The special allowance for London of 3s 6d would remain unaltered.

They also proposed to pay a separation allowance in the case of relatives – mothers and sisters. Where the soldier made an allotment the State subsidy would be proportionate and on the scale he had just mentioned,

As regards the Navy, it had been decided to grant separation allowance to wives and children and details of the scheme would be announced as soon as possible. In both cases the allowance would be paid weekly through the Post Office. The question of pensions was still under consideration.

Mr Austen Chamberlain asked whether the Government would consider the suggestion of continuing to the widow for a certain period after the decease of her husband the allowance she was entitled to as a wife.

The Prime Minister said that would be considered sympathetically.

Mr John Ward asked whether these facts would be circulated among all the recruiting committees.

The Prime Minister said he would undertake to circulate the information among the army and navy the exact list of scales the existing ones being placed side by side. The new scales would date from October 1st.