At that time, a Sgt-Pilot was on 13/6 a day, say £20/10/- pm (in Rupees 290 odd). This would be the equivalent of some £1250 today. At that he was better off than any newly commissioned Pilot Officer -
in UK , that is.
But in India, there was a wonderful scheme. The Government of India paid an officer (not the UK), and they were much more generous. A Pilot Officer was on Rs500 pm (say £36 pm then, or £2200 pm now) - and very small Mess Bills to pay. We were quite happy with
our "stipend" !
Only trouble was: there was nothing to spend it on. Even if you drank yourself to death (and very few tried), it wouldn't cost you much at Mess bar prices.
Danny.