at Otterburn Practice Camp

Otterburn

Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Tuesday 17 Aug 43.

My dearest Maz,

I am so sorry I haven’t written to you before but life since we arrived here has been too hectic for words and the last 2 evenings when I should have been letter writing I’ve slipped off to the films just to preserve my sanity – in the old 17^th we always used to put in a bit of overtime before practice camp but absolutely nothing compared with this Regiment.  On Mon, Tues and Wednesday of last week I arrived back for dinner in the mess at times between 9 – 10 pm and Thursday was a mad rush from 8.30 until 7.15 practically without a stop.  We left Hoddam at 9 am on Saturday morning and after an attractive run in the sunshine right across the border fetched up here at teatime, we were out all day Sunday and yesterday and go out tonight on a night exercise.  Last night Robin, John Handford and I went to see Walt Disney’s cartoon film ‘Bambi’, it really was absolutely sweet, with lovely music and quite a good little story with several morals attached to it – have you seen it, after all this description I’ve got a feeling you have!

I really must apologise for this simply sickening paper but, having run out of my own stuff, I asked my motor cycle orderly to get me a pad on the way over here and this is what he produced – its too sickening for words!  Yesterday I had my first shoot, or I should say shoots, and engaged a couple of targets in such a way that the I.G. and C.O. were unable to criticise, usually they find some small point wrong, but they couldn’t this time which was a good thing.

I’m ashamed to say that it’s now Wednesday.  Having finished line 6 I was hurriedly called away and just  didn’t get another chance to finish this off.  I had a hasty tea at 4.30 and was on parade fully equipped at 5 ocl then out we all went on a nice long march which brought us back here just after midnight when we went into action and at 2 am yours truly crawled into the front of his truck and slept on and off  untill 5.30 when the day’s work commenced  – breakfast in the field and back here at 9.30.  I’ve just knocked off for the day and have ‘made’ a good tea of sandwiches, buns etc.  I honestly think this is my first quiet spell for over a week but we mustn’t complain as we’ve learnt a lot which is after all what one is in uniform for – a spot of hard work, as they say, never did anyone any harm – much!

I managed on Sunday and Monday to get a couple of quick letters off to Elli and Pari, and I hope this reaches you before the week-end.  I notice there is a phone box here so will try and get through to you on Saturday evening.  Saturday is not an official training day and I see from the programme that some sports are taking place in the afternoon – no, I shall not be running in the long distance race!

So far I’ve had no letters forwarded on to me here and shall watch tomorrows post very anxiously for a letter from you.  The Essex County Standard arrived yesterday (Tues) and I saw under the heading Rover Scouts ‘Mr Brian G Benham’s name has been mentioned to take —- place.’  Very grand!  Well done that scout.  Little Maz, I must close and nip a letter off to Eileen.  Much love to you, our next leave is beginning to draw near – great thought.  My love to Pari and Elli, again much love to yourself

            Yours very affectionately

                        Peter

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

Postmarked OTTERBURN NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.  19 AU 43.      (7)