Pay Day

The first cartoon in the series is set in a barrack room, where the men sleep. An officer sits at the table, probably the squadron commander. He is keeping a record of the money paid to the men in his squadron. This occurs every week. The money is paid according to rank and length of service but for a private soldier in the line cavalry the basic daily rate was one shilling and 2 pence. For men with a good conduct stripe an extra penny a day was added.
The officer wears a fur edged patrol jacket and dress trousers with a double gold stripe down the side. His pill-box cap has a gold lace band and he has his pouch-belt on. He is assisted by the Squadron Sergeant-Major who also wears a patrol jacket. They count out the coins and distribute the money. A hussar salutes the officer on receipt of his pay. He wears a blue undress smock and dress trousers with a double yellow cloth stripe. On his head is a blue field service cap with yellow edging. The SSM has a similar cap but with gold edging. The waiting men are dressed in work clothes, blue undress frock and either pale canvas trousers or blue overalls. Most have the FS cap but one wears a pill-box cap with yellow cloth band.
The man nearest us in the line up is the Farrier Sergeant. His daily rate of pay in the 1890s was 2 shillings and 10 pence. He has a pill-box cap with gold band and gold braid on top. His blue frock has three gold stripes with a gold embroidered horseshoe above and a silver metal regimental badge on the stripes. He has a tattered leather apron to protect his trousers. One hussar walks out of the room looking forlornly at the single shilling in his hand. He has probably had deductions for items of equipment or damage.
Behind the officer is a private dressed for walking out. He is buttoning a smart stable jacket which is waist length and edged with yellow piping. He has a pill-box cap and dress trousers. During the day the mattress had to be folded up and the blankets and sheets folded neatly. The shelves high up on the wall hold bedding and riding boots. Below that are pegs for pouch-belts, mess tins and water bottles. A shelf suspended above the table has some food and bowls.

Regimental Details | 10th Hussars Cartoons 1894