Beer money

For other uses, see Beer money (disambiguation).

Beer money is the nickname for an allowance, established in the year 1800, that was given to non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the British Army. ^[1] The practice was started at the suggestion of the Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany.^{[ citation needed ]} Beer money payments were 1 penny per day and was a replacement for a daily issuance of beer or spirits while troops were on home service. The allowance continued until 1873, when it was rolled into the soldier's daily pay. ^[1] At the same time stoppages made for the supply of meat and bread ceased and these supplied free of charge to the men. ^[2]

The phrase "beer money" is still commonly used in the British Army, and to a lesser extent in England, as a colloquialism for personal money set aside for entertainment, such as going to a pub.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. Cassell's storehouse of general information. 1891. p. 14.
2. Marquess of Anglesey (14 September 1993). A History of the British Cavalry 1816-1919: Volume 2: 1851-1871. Pen and Sword. p. 299. ISBN   978-1-78383-567-6.

1. Beer money, The New International Encyclopedia, Volume II, 1912, Page 681