N.B. new address                                                    H.Q.

       Sounds very grand!                                    3^rd Division

Home Forces

Wed 29 Sept 43

My dearest Maz,

I didn’t write last night as I wanted to hear the verdict on when my leave is to be – this I heard this morning from George Field (my new boss, the DAAG), and I very much regret to say the 14^th is off.  I sent a wire to tell Eileen the new dates this afternoon and had hoped to get through to you this evening and let you know, but when I put a call through at 8 they told me there was a long delay so decided to send off a wire in the morning – I have to spend Friday night as duty officer in HQ so will phone you then.

George was very apologetic about the leave but told me I had to be back here by the 21^st and so I could go on the 10^th which I told him was no good – so eventually after a little wangling I talked him into the 7^th – this means I shall travel down on the night of the 6^th and all being well should arrive at Oxford Road (super thought) at about 12 ocl.  I will put a call through to you when I get to L’pool St on Thursday morning early and let you know what train I shall be catching and when it is due to pull in at the North.  The change is all very sickening but I’m pleased to say doesn’t affect the time we shall have together – I couldn’t make it any earlier as there’s an all day exercise on the 5^th Tuesday which I’ve got to go out on, and of course any later would have meant less time with you – all very trying though I think the present arrangements might be worse, what says you – I have written to the Palace Court to alter our dates there from the Tuesday til Saturday so am hoping we shall all be able to go up to Town together and have lunch at Simpsons on me!  I do apologise for all this changing but c’est la guerre and it just can’t be helped.  I went back to Hoddom on Monday to hand over and get things squared up there and also heard that the Bty is due to go off on a month’s training somewhere as from 7 Oct so if I’d still been with them Heaven only knows when I should have got my leave.  On my return here last night I found a wizard letter from you waiting for me for which, little Maz, many thanks – I loved hearing all your news and am so glad the possibility of your leave being mucked about soon faded!

I saw a long list of awards in the Times last Friday – amongst notable recipients the MBE for David Papillon and our RSM (Pritchard) MCs for Brian Kingzett, my old friend Bob Atkins (since killed) and 4 chaps (including Bob Cary, my GPO) from the 17^th Sgt Shippin who was one of the 4 Sgts I brought back from the 17^th with me got a MM.  Well done those chaps, they were all certainly well earned – the old Regt didn’t do too badly, did it.

Please thank Pari for his letter and tell him that I’m writing to him – I am out on another all day exercise tomorrow, starting at crack o’ dawn and finishing, so they tell me at sunset!

Maz dearest I must away – I do so hope I get through to you on Friday evening when I look forward to a good chat.  Much love to you, longing more than I can say to see you in only just over a weeks time – take care of yourself, much love

            Yours as ever

 affectionately

                        Peter

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

Postmarked DUMFRIES dated 30 SEP 43.        (14)