Les,

>Fourpence a day full pay must've been yonks ago.

No, fourpence a day wasn't full pay, it was the "reserve allowance", the daily ammount paid to a reservist while he was "on reserve" but not active, for example, Frank Richards joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1902 with the standard terms of 6 years "With the Colours"(as an active soldier) and six years "in the reserve" when he worked as a miner. During this period, he was paid 4d per day and was expected to return to his regiment for a fixed time each year (one or two weeks, I believe) or if called upon in time of national emergency (as in August 1914). When a reservist rejoined the colours, he came back with full rank and seniority and on full pay.

Regards

Walrus