Hi, Just looking at an online Canadian service file and see that a soldier who was awarded an MM for his actions in Sicily (KIA Italy Oct 1944) was also awarded a gratuity of $100 Cdn - then approx £25. Never previously seen mention of a gratuity for MM before either in UK or Canadian service files. Is it just a Canadian regulation? Steve Y
Hi Steve Found this if it is of use: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/iptm/iptm4600.htm Annuities and additional pensions paid to holders of certain awards The following are not treated as income for any income tax purposes annuities and additional pensions paid to holders of the Victoria Cross annuities and additional pensions paid to holders of the George Cross annuities paid to holders of the Albert medal or Edward medal additional pensions paid to holders of the following awards Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Distinguished Service Medal Military Medal Distinguished Flying Medal. TD edited to add: A further document is here - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/341329/07_JSP764_Part7_July14_amd6.pdf Unless its a VC or GC then I would feel a little hard done by: The Special Annuity award for Victoria Cross and George Cross holders is: (a) An annual annuity of £2129 (wef 07/04/2014). This sum is increased each year in line with other pension increases (currently increased by CPI). The additional pension for gallant conduct is: (a) Paid annually (as a gratuity) at £9.10 (£9.12 in leap years), and
My Father received £20 gratuity for his MM in July 1950. Just over six years after being awarded the medal. He always referred to it as "Churchill's blood money".
Hi 51 Just out of interest - did he continue to receive the 'gratuity' or was a one off payment - I also assume the £20 was an accumulation from when he received/awarded the medal until 1950 (i.e. £x / year for y years = £20)?? TD
Hi, Thanks for both your comments. UK payment in 1950 at similar rate to the Canadian award made in 1944. No interest applied! It presumably just took the authorities a lot of time to work through the list of entitled personnel. Regards Steve Y
That and probably the fact that Britain was bankrupt!!! The payment was the same, whenever it was paid in the UK.