G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

Sunday 4 June 44

My dearest Maz,

Have you been in the *** for a day or two with very little to do but sleep and read.  To my extreme disgust I have never received any mail at all since that wonderful 48 hours – Corps HQ split into every direction and no one seems to have had any mail – very bad staff work somewhere – it’s all very cheesing but I have something big to look forward to the other side.  These letters will be posted when our craft has dumped its load and has returned to the UK – I shall be very interested to hear when you received it.  I had so hoped to hear from you and from Eileen, to hear how she it etc – no doubt there will soon be considerable buzz and excitement chez Oxford Road, and the ORSSs will get busy!  I have read an excellent Angela Thinkill book called ‘Wild Strawberries’ (makes me think immediately of Westerham and Elli!).  Have you read it?  Simply, lovely and rather to my liking.  I met dear old George the other day, just the same as ever.  By odd coincidence in this craft (there are 30 officers on board) is one of the officers who came back from Africa with me in the *** Hellas.  I have been lucky enough to get a bunk (only 8 of us have) and this feeding and living in the ward-room where we have excellent food but no drink – probably just as well.  Pari will be interested to hear that I have resumed my poker activities – a Field Regt Col and 3 naval surgeons make up the school – stakes very mild, no heavy betting, 1^d antis.  The night before last I was the biggest winner (13/6) (my best hands being 3 full houses) – and last night I was again the winner (12/-) having had two lots of 4s within three hands – the first 4 Qs I picked up off the table, the second I drew a 9 to 3 9s.  I can just imagine Pari’s mouth watering!

There is little news of interest as you can imagine – this waiting is not the most pleasant thing I’ve done but it’s made less unpleasant by the fact that there are a very jovial crowd on board and the thoughts of what lies ahead are at times completely dispelled – I find I have to keep doing something the whole time to keep my imagination from running amok.

10 June 44

Maz dear,

Most frightful thing – I wrote all this on the boat and then forgot in the excitement of the moment to finish same and post it – I wrote to you yesterday and there’s little news to add except that I spent a thoroughly uncomfortable night in every way last night – today I’m back with my proper people.  It’s getting late so I must stop – I do apologise so much for the awful ***** I’ve made with this epistle – Longing to hear from you – take care of yourself I think about you all so much – Much love will write again soon –

            Ever yours

 very affectionately

                        Peter

News excellent, n’est ce pas?

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 735 dated 13 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt. Rec June 14^th 1944 dated June 4^th & 10^th. (4)