The Observer of October 6th reported:
"70 soldiors who lost thoir No, 2 dress uniforms in a barracks fire at irborfield, near Reading, in August, are having their pay stopped to pay for their replacement. The fire occurred when many of tho men were on leave There is no question of nogligonce......Lacst week tho soldiers were made to sign forms accepting liability for the loss, which in some cases exceeds £20, Their pay has been cut to 35s, per woek, (in addition, married men will still got £3 or £4 allowances each week,
"Feeling in the unit affected — the regimer tal depot of the Royal Hlectrical and Mechanical Engineers = appears to be running high, “A recomm endation for exgratia compensation is understood to have been made bya unit board of inquiry; but it must now go to Southern Command and then to the War Office. The process may take wecks," (our omphasis)