Quote:
Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger
Just thinking about the sacrifices made by young people like your Grand Uncle is enough to make my eyes water. We owe them (and the young men and women your are making those sacrifices today) our eternal gratitude.
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Amen to that.
Al Schlageter, to put the cost even further into perspective, I still have my Grandfather's notes from his officer and pilot training. Part of that covers army pay and army law.
In 1917 (when he was in training) a private in the RFC earned 1d (a shilling) per day. In decimal currency a shilling was worth approximately 5p (pence). A Sgt Major earmed the princely sum of 5d per day (25p). This being before overseas allowances and any other payments.
Obviously an officer earned considerably more than that, but all the same, it was a massive outlay for the individual from his wage.