Allotment

[iwccc]

I have been told that my grandmother received 'allotment' money from her two sons serving in the AIF.  Can someone tell me what exactly this meant.  Whose money was it? Why was it sent to her? How did the system work?  Would be grateful for an explanation to clarify what I have been told. Thank you

[Crumblie]

Hi, it was money that would normally have been paid to her sons but they had chosen not receive and instead it was paid direct to their mother. The British forces did exactly the same thing. I don't know if it was the same for Australian forces but if a British soldier was punished for an offence which resulted in a stoppage of pay, the person to whom they had allotted an amount would also see a reduction in what they would receive. In effect the mother/wife/family of the soldier was punished for what their son etc. had done.

The money was intended ensure their mother would still receive housekeeping or whatever they would have given her had they not been sent to war.

[jim1]

Having looked at allotments on service records it seems to average 1/3 of pay.

[iwccc]

Thanks Crumblle, Very helpful.  Looks like the boys wanted to provide for their mother.

[iwccc]

thank you Jim1.  I appreciate your help. Thank you