how much did an officers uniform cost?

[hamishmck]

Morning all,

I understand that an officer was expected to pay for his own uniform including revolver and sam browne belt so was wondering what the cost would be?

was there some sort of hp arrangement available for newly promoted soldiers that didnt have the readies?

My google searches send me to uniform items for sale on ebay and companies renting/selling uniforms for tv and films.

many thanks,

[bill24chev]

The answer is how long is a piece of string.

A bespoke outfit by thieves & sharks was probably way beyond any Uniform allowance but a basic off the peg outfit from a good non Saville Row tailor or the Gentleman's Dept of some major stores could be obtained for close to the outfit allowance.

Companies such as Burberry's also offered the full service dress as well as Trench Coats.

[centurion]

When doing the research for 'What happened this month a hundred years ago' I came across a reference in Hansard for 1913 to the announcement of an allowance, for men commissioned from the ranks, to provide for the purchase of their uniform. If one can find just how much this was it ought to provide at least a minimum cost for the basics

[ss002d6252]

There's some good discussions on Hansard regarding the allowances-

http://hansard.millb...utfit-allowance

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1915/mar/01/officers-training-corps-uniform-allowance

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1915/feb/25/uniform-and-kit-allowance

It would appear that £20.00 was deemed to be sufficient for an officer's basic kit and the extra £30.00 covered anything he needed to go 'on campaign'.

[hamishmck]

Most interesting responses, thanks to all who replied.

An educated guess but was there a certain 'one upmanship' with where one bought one's uniform in much the same way

we are segregated by our clothes labels and designer wardrobes in today's society.

I'd like to think not and uniform was just that, uniform but think with Burberry and thieves & sharks as vendors then this couldnt have been so.

any thoughts before we all pick a faller or retiree in the race.

thanks for any and all help

[WilliamRev]

Charles Carrington, newly-commissioned into the 9th Yorks and Lancasters, in "Soldier from the War Returning", writes about how at first he had worried about whether he would be able to afford to be an officer:

"In my first year as a subaltern my total income from pay and allowances was just over £200, on which I paid six poiunds income tax. I had also received an outfit allowance of fifty pounds which provided easily for sword and revolver as well as for two service-dress uniforms, a greatcoat, and all the accessories. At the end of my first year I had a few pounds in hand."

William

[Old Tom]

I suspect that then, as now, individual regiments and corps had, as it were, dedicated or authorised or even recommended tailors with vastly different prices.. While these requirements may have been relaxed during the war a newly commissioned officer turning up at the depot would be expected to be properly dressed. I liked thieves and sharkes, I expect thet had to be watched like an hawk in the hat department.

Old Tom

[Scalyback]

Would there be a market in 2nd hand kit? I know mess dress can be expensive and there is a trade in that.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Morning all,

I understand that an officer was expected to pay for his own uniform including revolver and sam browne belt so was wondering what the cost would be?

was there some sort of hp arrangement available for newly promoted soldiers that didnt have the readies?

My google searches send me to uniform items for sale on ebay and companies renting/selling uniforms for tv and films.

many thanks,

Attached is a WW1 period advertisement for John Hyman 29, Leicester Square, London W. offering Officer's Uniforms and Accoutrements, which lists many items with their then prices!

Jacket and Breeches - 3 pounds 18 shillings and 6 pence.

Officer's sword, scabbard and knot - 4 pounds.

Etc.

Regards,

LF

[Ron Clifton]

Hello all

The Allowance Regulations contain an interesting chapter on "Indemnification in the event of losses", such as if an officer lost his cabin trunk overboard whilst on voyage, or in a fire, etc.

For an infantry officer on active service, the maximum amount which could be claimed for "Uniform, boots and appointments" was between about £40 and £50, depending on rank. This would presumably cover two suits of service dress but there were separate headings for watches & compasses, camp equipment and weapons.

The rates payable when not on active service were much higher as presumably they had to include cover for full dress items. The rate for Household Cavalry officers not on active service was around £180, and that for other cavalry regiments not much less.

Ron

[hamishmck]

Thanks to all who replied and Lancs fusilier, what a great advert from J.Hyman which says it all.

cheers Hamish

[bill24chev]

Attached is a WW1 period advertisement for John Hyman 29, Leicester Square, London W. offering Officer's Uniforms and Accoutrements, which lists many items with their then prices!

Jacket and Breeches - 3 pounds 18 shillings and 6 pence.

Officer's sword, scabbard and knot - 4 pounds.

Etc.

Regards,

LF

the price of £2.17s76p for a British warm is exactly what I paid for one (£2.75) about 20years ago from a charity shop It was a modern one made by Abercrombie of Aberdeen for Dunne & Co. I still have it but it is a bit tight these days.

[Old Tom]

Bill, A sound buy. I bought a new one from Moss Bros in about 1980 for, perhaps, £ 80, it too is a bit tight these days, normally only commes out for remembrance services.

Old Tom

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Here is a WW1 Harrods' advertisement for their ' British Warm ' starting at 7 guineas ( 7 pounds 7 shillings ) and also their 2nd Lieutenant's uniform jacket from 2 pounds 10 shillings to 3 pounds 3 shillings ( Collar Badges extra according to Regiment ).

LF