The pay for those in the services may have seemed poor by comparison with civvy pay, but in those days of high unemployment the prospect of having that much money without having to pay for food and accomodation is what enticed many to join before hostilities commenced.
After that of course, there was no choice.
Nowadays servicemen are low paid and still have to pay for food and accomodation.
When leaving the service they find that they are, for the most part, treated with suspicion and disrespect.
Compared to the US and in particular Australia & NZ, where returning servicemen and women are given every help and huge respect by all except the most obnoxious politicians, this country is the pits.
Sorry for the rant.