London to Cape Town expenses
Eric Jackson claimed his expenses from Ford Motor Company for the London to Cape Town epic record-breaking trip. I have a copy of the invoice he sent to Edgy Fabris at Ford’s public affairs department. The amount totals £281.3.0. Remember this is before the British pound was decimalised, there were twenty shillings to a pound and twelve pennies in a shilling. We also had guineas, which were the sum of £1.1.0. Don’t ask me why.
The list includes items such as ‘tropical medicines and first aid kit’ (£28.10.0), ‘tinned foods’ (£14.12.6.) and ‘water purifying kit’ (£6.17.6).
There are items on there that surprise me too – evidently Eric and Ken had to supply their own tool kit (£3.10.0), maps (£2.15.0), AA Africa book (£1.15.0) and blankets, towels and pillows (£8.10.0).
I was also surprised to see that the repair that has been undertaken to the car at Addis Ababa were also an out of pocket expense and included 6 tyres, 10 tubes, 2 wheels, 1 jack, 1 pump and one silencer assembly – goods to the value of £59.
It’s the final items that are the best though:
.38 revolver: £37.10.0
150 rounds of D. Special ammunition: £36.6.0
Holster: £2.15.0
Gun license £0.5.0
Hunting knife: £1.15.0
The items sub total was £281.3.0 but Eric had scrupulously added at the end:
Less gun resale: £20.0.0
Total due: £261.3.0
I’m just amazed that he lost £17.10.0 on the gun. He must have done a deal for a mate