Will Advice - 1925

[Pricey4848]

I`ve just downloaded  a relatives will from 1925 Perthshire.
Amongst the inventory it mentions " £300 War Stock 1929/47" and the "Dividends Warrant thereon £7.10"
She was a spinster and was living in her late fathers house i believe.

Any suggestions what the WAR STOCK refers to?

Thanks

[CaroleW]

War stock bonds are debt securities issued by a government for the purpose of financing military operations during times of war.

[Pricey4848]

War stock bonds are debt securities issued by a government for the purpose of financing military operations during times of war.

Thanks
Does the fact somebody left WAR STOCKS in their Will indicate Military Service i take it?

[djct59]

Not necessarily - a wealthy yet patriotic person might choose to lend money to the state to fund the war effort by purchasing such a bond without themselves having any military connection. It's important to bear in mind that the early part of the 1914-18 war saw an upsurge in patriotism, especially when people wrongly believed the war would only last a few months.

[CaroleW]

Not necessarily.  Anybody could buy war stock just the way we buy stocks and shares today.

They gave the government money (ie) bought war stock

The Government paid them "interest" in the form of dividends dependant on their stockmarket value. 

[Pricey4848]

Not necessarily - a wealthy yet patriotic person might choose to lend money to the state to fund the war effort by purchasing such a bond without themselves having any military connection. It's important to bear in mind that the early part of the 1914-18 war saw an upsurge in patriotism, especially when people wrongly believed the war would only last a few months.

The entry on his Will dated 1925 says " £300 5% War Stock 1929/47"

What will the 1929/47 refer to? Is there anyway I could find out further information?

[djct59]

These would be the dates when the bonds matured and the money lent to the Government reverted to the estate of the lender. you would pay £300 in 1915, which went towards the war effort and if all went well you'd get your dosh back, plus dividends, between these dates

[CaroleW]

You can read about War Stock by using Google - plenty of info out there

Also - if somebody died today and they had a stocks and shares portfolio - their probate would shown its value at the time of death.  That doesn't mean that the actual cash was to hand at that time. The £300 may have been the value of the stock at that time