The Cost of Hutting in the First Two Years.

This report in the Eastbourne Gazette on 23rd August 1916, gives a real feel to the enormous cost Britain had to face in just suppling huts for the war effort:

It came a shock to me as i read it, imagine how it felt back in 1916!


"Cost of Army Hutting

£24,500,000 in Two Years.

The return showing the approximate cost of the hutting provided, or being provided for the accommodation of troops (including hospital patients) and horses in the United Kingdom, in the years 1914 to 1916, was issued on Friday as a Parliamentary paper. The total outlay was £24,500,000 and the following are details of the services carried out by agents of the War Department:


Sir John Jackson Ltd - Expenditure £3,624,300, Establishment Charges £51,000, Commission £150,700.

Merricks, Crane & CO. - Expenditure £646,600, Establishment Charges £10,300, Commission £25,100.

Perry & Co (Bow) Ltd. - Expenditure £1,416,400, Establishment Charges £25,800, Commission £19,800.

Mr.William Willett- Expenditure £152,700, Establishment Charges £2,700, Commission £5,600.

Mr. Roland Burke - Expenditure £44,700, Establishment Charges £0, Commission £300.

Total - Expenditure £11,474,600, Establishment Charges £183,500, Commission £402,900.

The first seven agents receive for part of their work a percentage in respect of establishment charges only, at rates varying from 1 ½ to 2 ½ percent. For the rest of their work they receive 1 ½ percent to cover establishment charges and 5 percent commission. The next five agents receive for all their work 1 ½ percent for establishment costs and 4 percent for commission. Mr. Roland Burke received only a lump payment of £250 with £50 for his staff. The percentages are not leviable on the value of certain materials supplied by the War Office."