 Sir Shri Ram had persuaded his father to enter into a big contract for the supply of tents for the British Army during First World War (1914–18) and they had earned a lot of money quickly.The father-and-son combine is said to have netted between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, a lot of money in those days, the bulk of which was used in buying DCM shares.The commissions they obtained on the tent deal were not given under the table.