Hoddom Castle

Sunday 29 Aug 43

My dearest Maz,

So very many thanks for your letter which I found waiting for me on my return here on Friday – No I’m afraid I saw nothing in the Telegraph about Peggy’s divorce.  I read through the Telegraph practically every day we were at Otterburn so I don’t think it could have been in that edition either – poor old Beth, it must have been an awful blow to her, I do so hope she’s better now.  I’m so pleased Vi has heard from Hugh, he must be very busy these days and it must be very trying for Vi not to hear from him for such long stretches.  I had a card from Eileen on Friday to say that she would be at Queens Road that night so put a call through and had a long chat, she seemed to be in excellent form.  I shall be phoning 2116 this evening when I very much look forward to hearing your voice and Pari’s on phone no 2!

This week has really been a bit of a strain and I’m not at all sorry it’s all over now, it was made more unpleasant by the weather as it has hardly stopped raining at all – we had a Divisional Artillery day on Wednesday and carried on from it on our exercise ‘Gallop’ leaving Otterburn on Wednesday evening.  I was a safety officer for the exercise which didn’t involve any very arduous work but it meant that I had to be on the spot the whole time and was constantly running round in the very wet fields with a compass to see that all the guns were pointing in the right direction.

We arrived back at about 11 ocl on Friday morning and were to have had a half day off but at lunch-time, it was given out that in view of the fact that the 7^th had done so well in camp the CO had decided that Saturday and Sunday were to be whole days off for the Regiment so we worked all Friday afternoon and got everything cleaned off.  Yesterday unfortunately dawned grey and raining, not that I saw the dawn, but at 9 am when I got in it looked as though it had been raining for ever – hence golf, which I had hoped to per with Stan, was out of the question.  I had a very lazy morning reading the papers and having a few games of table tennis and in the afternoon went with all the other Captains in the Regiment to Carlisle.  I did a spot of shopping.  Had an excellent tea, saw a good film ‘White Cayo’ and then made a good steady dinner before getting back here at 11 pm – it was a most enjoyable afternoon and evening, though the shopping was a trifle marred by the steady downpour.

Today is exactly the same as yesterday, grey and dripping wet so golf is again out of the question.  How I wish there were some squash courts handy, I think I may go for a run before dinner tonight if it only clears for a bit – I have several more letters to write, a date at table tennis to fulfil and the Sunday papers to read so shall be kept well occupied!

The leave question cropped up on Friday and Robin gave out to the men that leave would be either from the 1-10 October or from 11-21 Oct.  I do so hope it’s not the latter, that really would be a tragedy.  I don’t think it will be though – it’s a wizard thought that it’s only about 4 weeks to 1^st October, roll on the days til then!

I was very amused to hear of Pari’s party with Joe Shorikki (!).  I wouldn’t mind betting that he was a real and genuine Aunt Kate the whole time!  I forget whether I told you in my last letter that the hockey for which my name went in was for the Army Sports people and not Scottish Command so with any luck I may get a week end down South yet with all travelling etc expenses paid!

I wonder if you would be so good as to do a couple of things for me – (a) could you please send me 2 pairs of my blue and white hockey stockings, 1 pair white shorts and my blue Essex County hockey shirt (b) I should be most grateful if you could find up half a dozen golf balls.  Not too good but not the very elderly type!  I do hope it’s not too much of a nuisance.

Before my next leave I intend to make an excuse to go to Langholm where I will get the tweed for you.  Do you want the length for a coat and skirt or skirt only!  It would probably be best if you let me know the length you want in yards!  Maz dear I must close – please thank  Pari and Elli for their welcome letters and give them my love – much love to you longing for October.

            Yours ever affectionately

                        Peter

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

Postmarked LOCKERBIE DUMFRIESHIRE dated 30 AU 43.             (9)