Hoddom Castle

Monday 9 Aug 43

My dearest Maz,

I decided after all to wait until today before I wrote to you especially as you said you had sent a letter off to me on Saturday – it duly arrived this morning – so very many thanks for same, it was read with great interest and the kind words contained therein were very much appreciated.  After a few days of fairly acute depression I realised what an awful mutt I was being – it does no good to worry and one must just wait and see and hope for the best, difficult sometimes as it is.  It was simply grand last night to have heard your voice.  They certainly let us have a good natter before finally say ‘time up’ – you will I know be pleased to hear that the tooth trouble which I mentioned, has turned out to be nothing of the sort, in fact the dentist told me this morning that he had rarely seen such healthy gums!  Was I relieved, or was I!  He told me however that the hard biscuits had whipped a few bits of stopping away and I’m going along tomorrow p.m. to have them done.  Our exercise was, as Eileen would say, a terrific ‘bind’ and I felt the full effects of loss of sleep etc today and am shortly preparing for bed.  I was chief umpire for the Regt and had to trail round with the C.O. most of the time and send constant reports in to the senior R.A. Umpire.  In all I managed 11 hours sleep in the 3 nights but didn’t feel tired yesterday evening.  The C.O. was too pathetic for words, having no grip at all on what was happening – his prize effort being a conversation over the wireless with a B.C. in which he got very shirty with the B.C. because he couldn’t get any reply – after a few minutes someone tactfully reminded him to talk into the correct side of the microphone!!

Honestly, I ask you.  Many of the very elementary errors which he made were duly very tactfully noted in my report.  We go to practice camp at Redesdale on Friday or Saturday for a fortnight and already the preliminary terrific training up for same has begun.

Today my programme was work from 9 til 1 and 2 – 4.30 then min range at 5.30 – 6.30 and gun drill solidly from 6.30 – 9 – it will be the same ‘til we eventually go to Camp – Jack Talbot, the Troop Commander of D Troop, is away so I’m having to do my own job and his – hard work but there’s nothing else to do.

A most regrettable thing happened last Saturday week, namely that my lovely cigarette case was stolen – it’s sickening, isn’t it?  The facts briefly were that on the night in question I was in the Ante Room awaiting my call through to you with my matches and case on the arm of my chair – after talking to you I went upstairs to finish off a letter to Eileen and, remembering my case was down stairs, went down for it to find the ante room deserted and only my matches where I had been sitting – I have made very exhaustive enquiries but so far there is no trace of it – tell Elli that I will be writing to report the loss when a  few days have elapsed and the last hopes of its recovery have gone.

Maz, all this rigmarole about myself and no enquiries after your health – I was so sorry to hear you had not been so fit and do hope you are feeling better now – I hope, too, to hear that you are going to have a holiday, it will do you so much good.  I was delighted to hear about Eileen’s successful board and know how much some real training will mean to her – she will, I feel certain, enjoy it more with a goal to aim at.

Well, little Maz, time draws on and I must begin to finish (that sounds a bit Irish!) – Yes, the news during the last week really has been excellent and gives one renewed hope that it won’t be long now before we are back to normal again.  I do so hope you are feeling yourself again.  Many thanks again for your letter and kind words, my love to Pari and Elli and to yourself – much love

            Yours ever affectionately,

                        Peter

In envelope addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked LOCKERBIE DUMFRIESHIRE 10 Au 43.             (6)