a First Pay. | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

a First Pay.

a First Pay.
Submitted by Andrew Suddaby
Authors: 
Alan Parr

Recruits received a postal order for 4 shillings (20% of £1) just before they were due to report and it was probably intended to cover incidental expenses on their journey to the Reception Centre at R.A.F. Cardingotn. As far as I can remember this was one day's pay. It doesn't sound a lot, but 4 shillings would have bought two simple but adequate meals.  It is strange that Alan kept his postal order as a souvenir.  Most of us would have cashed it.  (Andrew S)

Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Friday, January 1, 1960
Gallery: 
Parr, Alan (1960-61)
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Comments

Submitted by moddsey on Sun, 2019-03-17 07:35.

A Valentine's Day souvenir.

Submitted by Andrew Suddaby on Sun, 2019-03-17 14:51.

Hi Moddsey, I, too, noticed the date, but discounted it as not being really relevant.  It is dated about a year before he went to Hong Kong, and roughly a year would have been spent in training in England. Four shillings is slightly more than the postal order that I received, but Alan was three years later than me so perhaps the authorities had become a bit more generous!  I suspect that the date is a coincidence and that a sense of ironic humour made him keep the postal order. He is no longer with us so I cannot check.  Best wishes, Andrew