大象传媒

RJ 8655 was definitely a War Bonus. Its purchase for around 拢100 arose through the fortuitous double payments for two months as a Captain in the Army and a Pilot Officer in the R.A.F. It was a Ford 10 HP Saloon, Dark Green and said to be in 鈥済ood condition鈥�, except that the offside rear door did not work because the vehicle had been damaged by a previous owner.

It was first stationed in Blackpool where its official ration of two gallons per month was usefully employed locally. Probably its greatest feat in 4 years was somehow to translate itself, along with its owner, to Kent on such a meagre allowance. The prospect of being abandoned somewhere near Crewe loomed large, but the situation was saved by a kindly R.A.F. Station adjutant who made an extra coupon contribution.

For the next 4 years it lived in luxury. Unknown to almost any official body, it had a Garage of its own attached to an R.A.F. Officers Mess, and, most importantly, an official two gallons per month allowed to operational pilots, at a time when the civilian ration was no longer available. This allowance permitted it to be anywhere at any time without interference from the Police or any other Authority. On one occasion it even visited the Ascot races, where it was alleged almost the only other vehicle in the car park belonged to the Queen.

Service Justice may have been slow, but it was usually inevitable. Sometime in early 1942 appeared a 拢5 reduction in monthly pay, claimed off the R.A.F. by the Army. Advised to appeal on the grounds of 鈥渉ardship鈥�. Indeed a deduction of 拢5 was a serious matter at that time.

The hardship appeal worked well, but after about another couple of years, the 拢5 reduction re-surfaced. It was difficult now to claim hardship, as in the interval had been promoted to Flight Lieutenant. However, took advantage of leave in London to seek out R.A.F. Paymasters, who were located in a warren of offices somewhere behind Harrods. It was all very democratic and informal. The chap on the door gave the name of the 鈥淐omplaints Officer鈥�. Located same and announced name. His response: 鈥淢y God, are you, I have a file about you鈥�. This was sent for 鈥� very thick, red tape, the lot 鈥� 2 years back and forth between various Service Departments. It was ultimately suggested that if a voluntary payment of 拢25 were made, making 拢35 in all, against an originally claimed debt of 拢135, the Army would probably be satisfied. This eventually proved correct, and official notification was received.

RJ 8655 spent most of its life around the various watering holes of the Thames Valley, with occasional visits to London鈥檚 West End. It was eventually passed on in 1945, at a modest profit, to a grateful returned Prisoner of War, who had something like 3 years back pay available for disposal.

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