Recruits received a postal order for 4 shillings (20% of £1) just before they were due to report and it was probably intended to cover incidental expenses on their journey to the Reception Centre at R.A.F. Cardingotn. As far as I can remember this was one day's pay. It doesn't sound a lot, but 4 shillings would have bought two simple but adequate meals. It is strange that Alan kept his postal order as a souvenir. Most of us would have cashed it. (Andrew S)
Date picture taken
1960s
Gallery
Comments
Dated FEB 14
A Valentine's Day souvenir.
Hi Moddsey, I, too, noticed
Hi Moddsey, I, too, noticed the date, but discounted it as not being really relevant. It is dated about a year before he went to Hong Kong, and roughly a year would have been spent in training in England. Four shillings is slightly more than the postal order that I received, but Alan was three years later than me so perhaps the authorities had become a bit more generous! I suspect that the date is a coincidence and that a sense of ironic humour made him keep the postal order. He is no longer with us so I cannot check. Best wishes, Andrew