War disability pensions
Many people have heard that the soldier they are researching got an army pension. But did he - and what was it worth? This article gives somes clues and ideas for finding out.
Exclusions
This page does not cover certain types of pension:
[1] service pension or retired pay
[2] widows and dependents pensions
How a soldier was granted a disability pension
In an early stage of the demobilisation process, the soldier was underwent a final medical examination. He was invited to submit a claim for any form of disability arising from or aggravated by his military service. This was done using Army Form Z22, the top part of the front page of which can be seen, left.
< Albert Edward Hunt underwent his medical examination while at Ramleh in Palestine. He made a claim that he had caught malaria while serving in the Jordan Valley in late 1918.
If the man did not wish to or had no grounds for a claim, he completed the personal details and signed under "I do not claim to be suffering from a disability due to my military service". If he did, he completed the details of the nature of the disability and how it had arisen.
In the case of a man discharged from the army on medical grounds (see this article) the claim was a formality, but the same Z22 Form triggered a review of his case as far as a disability pension was concerned.
The claim was considered by a Medical Board, who determined the extent of his disability (in terms of a percentage) and how long the condition would last.
< Albert Hunt's claim was eventually rejected and he was not awarded a pension.
Based on the recommendation of the Medical Board, the Ministry of Pensions determined the monetary value of the pension that should be paid. An award normally began from the day after the man was discharged from the army and was usually for a period of weeks (an initial 26 week award seems to be the most common) and in many cases then subject to review for continuation.
Richard Armer (below) was rated as 20% disabled after developing a joint problem in his left shoulder, which was stated to having been attributable his service. He was awarded a pension of five shillings and sixpence per week (plus an allowance for two children) for 26 weeks. This was a final award, not subject to review, as his condition was believed to be such that he would be back to normal by that time.
Sources of information
The best place to begin are the soldier's army service records. If the man's record has survived and he survived the war, there is a good chance that his "Z22 Claim for Disability" Form will be included. If no details are shown of any ailment, then he chose not to make a claim. The service record will often include details of the pension awarded, too.
If the former soldier was in receipt of a Disability Pension up until his death then it may be worthwhile writing to the War Pensions Agency to see if you can secure a copy of his file. You would need to provide a copy of his death certificate and supporting documentation to establish that you are the next of kin.
War Pensions Agency
Norcross, Blackpool, FY5 3WP
Myths and misinformation
The WO364 series of soldier's documents held at the National Archives (and now accessible via Ancestry mixed in with the WO363 series) are often referred to as "pension records". I have even heard staff at the Archives advising people that "if he got a pension he will be in there". This is not so. The WO364 series is a collection of parts of men's service records that happened to be at the Ministry of Pensions when the 1940 fire destroyed so many service records held in the War Office Arnside Street warehouse. It is believed that they had been removed for purposes of analysis. It follows that they are papers to men (or in a few cases widows) who were awarded a pension - but only a relatively small proportion of them.
It was not necessary to be discharged from the army on medical grounds in order for a disability pension to be awarded.
