What was proficiency pay? - The Long, Long Trail (original) (raw)
Proficiency pay is something that often features in a soldier’s service record, often as “_PP_“, “_Cl. II PP_“, “_Cl. I PP_” or something similar. But what was it?
For the purposes of study of men who served in the Great War, we can begin with a change in regulations that came into effect from 1 October 1906. It defined two classes of proficiency pay, known as Class I and Class II, to be paid at a rate of sixpence per day and threepence per day respectively, over and above the man’s regimental or corps pay.
A typical entry in a service record. In this instance, that of Shoeing Smith 624, later 945580 Albert Bebee of the Royal Field Artillery.
General qualification requirements
To qualify, a man had to [1] be serving on an engagement of more than three years with the colours; [2] have at least two years service with the colours; [3] be in all respects physically capable of performing the duties of his rank in the arm of the service to which he belonged; [4] be in possession of a third-class certificate of army education (or higher); and [5] satisfy certain special technical and skills reuqirements.
Before a man could be regarded as being “in all respects physically capable of performing the duties” he must:
- In the cavalry, be a good horseman and man-at-arms;
- In the artillery, reach the standard required by that corps’ regulations’
- In the infantry, combine physical endurance in marching with skill-at-arms.
To qualify for Class II Proficiency Pay, the special and technical requirements were
- In the cavalry and infantry, to be a second-class shot or certificated signaller;
- In the artillery, to be a first-class gunner or certificated signaller, or in the Royal Garrison Artillery, to be a qualified range-taker (with the Depression Range Finder);
To qualify for Class I Proficiency Pay,
- In the cavalry and infantry, to be a first-class shot or marksman;
- In the Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Field Artillery and heavy batteries, to be a qualified range-taker, gun layer or first-class driver;
- In the Royal Garrison Artillery, to be a qualified layer or position finder;
- In Siege Companies, to be a qualified layer, observer or telephonist.
The qualifications in musketry would be made at the annual classification practices. Gunnery standards were defined in Army Orders. A certificated signaller would have passed at the annual inspection of the unit by the Commandant of the School of Signalling or equivalent inspection. A qualified gun layer would have been rated as such by the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding at the examination held by him prior to the annual gun practice. A first-class driver would have been rated as such by the rules of the relevant corps, and selected by the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding his brigade.
Previous colour service in the army, Royal Marines, colonial service (except the South African Constabulary), in the embodied Militia or Imperial Yeomanry could count towards the time rquirement. Colour service of men who had deserted or fraudulently enlisted would not count unless it was officially restored under King’s Regulations.
A soldier could be reverted from Class I to Class II Proficiency Pay, or forfeit it altogether, if he subsequently failed to meet the requirements.
A soldier who suffered from veneral disease would forfeit his Proficiency Pay.
Exceptions
Certain categories of men could not draw proficiency pay: [1] those who were Maltese or non-European; [2] members of the Artillery clerks’ section; [3] probationers for corps for which proficiency pay was not drawn; [4] who were already drawing consolidated rates of pay that were above the usual ordinary rates.
Lance-Corporals and Acting Bombardiers would not be entitled to Class II Proficiency Pay, and Lance-Sergeants would not be entitled to Class I.
Soldiers serving on Boy terms could not draw Proficiency Pay until they had reached the age of 20.
Changes
In 1917, the probationary period to be served before proficiency pay could be granted was cut to six months, and it could be paid to soldiers aged 18 years and six months and older.