Rate Of Pensions in Army??

[coombs]

Hi

My ancestor was discharged from the 17th Lancers in 1856 and from January 1857, he had his pension paid to him in the Brighton area. The returns of payments says that it was a permanent pension and the rate was 1 1/2. Some other soldiers got 6 or 7 or 4 as their pension rate? What currency does that mean? Was it shillings or pence?

Obviously the pension was not much though if it was only 1 1/2? What was interesting is that many army pensioners in the district were ag labs or labourers accrding to the yearly accounts of out pensioners occupations.

Ben

[km1971]

Hi Ben

I would think that the lancer got 1s and one halfpenny a day pension. The others will be in pence. The rate would depend upon their rank when they were discharged and how long they had served. I don't know the exact rate for the mid 19th Century but my GF received 3s 1d a day pension after 25 years when he was discharged in 1915. His final rank was Sergeant Major, and he would have received 5s a day while he served.

Could you provide details of the information you have, such as ranks and time served? Or else give their names and number if you have it, so I can check their service.

Ken

[coombs]

Hi

Yes he was a Private in the 17th Lancers and was in there for 25 years from June 1831 to October 1856.

Attached in the image of the Pension Return. It is Thomas Roberts, near the bottom of the page. This might help you in checking service.

Thanks

Ben

[km1971]

Yes, he was awarded 12 and a half pence a day (for life).

Ken

[coombs]

Hi Ken

Thanks. This means about 7 shillings and 31/2 pence a week then?

Ben