PJS Posted 27 May , 2020 Share Posted 27 May , 2020 I have been revisiting the details of my grandfather's service record recently and I am wondering if anyone can help me understand why it appears to contain a payment for a will even though he survived the war. I am also curious to know exactly what the document is supposed to be recording and who received the payment (since I can't make out the signature / wording at the bottom, next to the date. He was a PoW (captured May 27, 1918 in case that's relevant) and the date on the will is 3/3/1919 which is after he returned to the UK and was towards the end of his 2 month PoW furlough. The Will appears to be the first of several documents relating to his demob. His full service record is here on Ancestry: click As always, I greatly appreciate any input. Thank You Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 27 May , 2020 Share Posted 27 May , 2020 5 minutes ago, PJS said: payment for a will It is not payment but just a receipt of the Will document itself. The Army needed to know in case he was killed. His Regt recieved it on 3/5/18 and returned it 31/3/19 "to man" as he was a survivor! Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJS Posted 27 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2020 Ah! So it's not a payment of 3 pounds 5 shillings and 18d. It's a date! Thank you Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 27 May , 2020 Share Posted 27 May , 2020 3 minutes ago, PJS said: Ah! So it's not a payment of 3 pounds 5 shillings and 18d. It's a date! Thank you Charlie After the war the wills that were held by the army were often sent out to the man rather than being retained by the army. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 27 May , 2020 Share Posted 27 May , 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, PJS said: Ah! So it's not a payment of 3 pounds 5 shillings and 18d. It's a date! Thank you Charlie Yes , that format was often used in wartime correspondence, diaries etc. 3 5/18 Third (day) of fifth (month), 1918 Oh , and there were only 12d in a shilling, 18d would be 1/6 Edited 27 May , 2020 by Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJS Posted 27 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2020 7 minutes ago, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said: Oh , and there were only 12d in a shilling, 18d would be 1/6 Right. I think I'm showing my age (or lack of it) - although I do vaguely recall getting 6d per week pocket money as a small boy so I should have known better. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJS Posted 27 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2020 Thank you all for responding. Another minor mystery solved. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travers61 Posted 10 October , 2020 Share Posted 10 October , 2020 Have only just seen this thread & it reminded me that wills made out whilst a soldier were valid in civilian life, so it saved the man making another will out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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