Royal Navy Half-pay

1814

For Royal Navy officers - lieutenants and above - non-active service meant reduced wages, or half-pay. Before 1814 this was paid every six months and after that year each quarter. Half-pay was calculated according to rank and within each rank there were several levels of remuneration. When on half-pay officers were not bound by naval laws and were able to refuse a posting to a ship. However, by doing so an officer risked losing his entitlement.