Hi One thing that intrigued me when reading my father's service record is the recording of what Insurance Society that he was a member of. Surely the Society would not pay out if a serviceman was killed in action? What exactly was a bereaved next of kin entitled to in this instance?
toki2 not a lot - BUT - when the NHS was introduced in 1948 the years that one had been a member of a Society were added to your contributory life after 1948 and were an added bonus for your eventual Old Age pension - as I found my pension years were more than my wife's who had NOT been a member of any Society ....this of course was thrown to the wind when we moved to Canada and to-day - my pension cheque from the UK Govt is exactly the same amount as my first cheque in 1989..it's called a "Frozen" pension - they got that right......what really burns me up is the fact that thousands of so called immigrants to the Uk get more than I do for doing NOTHING for Britain- and have little intention of doing so - as well as the other British born benefit scroungers.... Cheers
Yes Tom - I have relations in Canada and I know that British emigrants ther had their pensions frozen although it does not seem to be the case with those who went to Australia. I have no idea why this is the case.
"The introduction of National Insurance under the National Insurance Act 1911 was one of the first steps towards the creation of the welfare state. The scheme, which came into effect in July 1912, was intended to create a national system of insurance for working people against illness and unemployment. All wage-earners aged between 16 and 70 were obliged to contribute 4d per week, while employers paid 3d and the state 2d. In return, workers were entitled to a level of free medical care and advice, and a "dole" of 7 shillings per week for up to 15 weeks per year in the event of unemployment. In its early days, the scheme was administered by "approved societies", voluntary friendly societies authorised and underwritten by the Government, and regulated by four Insurance Commissions. The powers of the Insurance Commissions were assumed by the new Ministry of Health (and the Welsh and Scottish Boards for Health) in 1919. In 1925, the Ministry of Health was charged with the administration of contributory pensions under the Old Age, Widows' and Orphans' Contributory Pensions Act 1925, which replaced the older system. The system was "nationalised" in 1945, with the creation of the Ministry for National Insurance, and the work of approved societies was taken over by "local executive councils" in 1948. The National Insurance Act 1948 and National Assistance Act 1948 established the modern welfare state that persists today." (www.politics.co.uk) I can only presume that the soldier (airman or naval rating) was doing a job of work and therefore the law required him (or her) to be properly insured by the standards of the time. As I understand, an army pension was entirely separate and administered by the War Office. I would be interested to know exactly what was paid out, but one of the functions of the Casualty Office in wartime was to establish a date of death so as to enable widows and families to claim insurance and other benefits due to them by law. Happy to be enlightened though....
Tokie2 Might be a new idea in Australia that i haven't heard of but some time ago the Brits in Canada - Sth Africa - New Zealand- Australia fought the Brit Govt all the way to the highest court to have our full entitlement - which we had paid for - and still lost saying that at 300 million GBP's pa. - which they couldn't afford - so off we went to Strassbourg - twice - losing each time.........and the Brit Govt STILL hands out 1,5 BILLION GBP's to immigrants who have not and will not lift a finger for Britain - but willing to throw bombs around to kill you - which many of us find to be strange justice that we spent our youth on... Cheers
Tom - you are right about Australia. I was given some duff information! Another point that occured to me was the situation of dependants of pow's. Was their pay stopped as soon as they were captured and no longer in 'active service' ? If so, what did their family live on ?
Private Insurance 1940s :http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/search/Services+private+life+insurance+1940?page=3&decade=1940s
Hi, I recall my Dad saying he came home to over 3 years back pay - minus a fairly high deduction for German "kriegsgefangener geld" "paid" During his incarceration. Steve Y
Hi, I recall my Dad saying he came home to over 3 years back pay - minus a fairly high deduction for German "kriegsgefangener geld" "paid" During his incarceration. Steve Y
Hallo, I have been reading this post with great interrest. My uncle had a medical card dated 15-07-1938 of the National Health Insurance. The Lancashire Archive told me that this card was based on the Nationale Health act 1911. It is also mentioned in in his service record. They also advised me to go to the Nationale Archive Kew to search there for his personal file. Does anybody have any experiance with finding this information at the Nationale Archive?. Greetings Tanja
