G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

20 June 44

My dearest Maz,

I was so delighted last night when someone handed me a letter from you and the ECS so very many thanks for your birthday greetings, you timed it magnificently – may I belated though this is but none the less sincere for that, wish you and Pari very many happy returns of your wedding anniversary and may we all next year and it’s wizard to think that then there will be another little Benham with us, may we all be able to celebrate this double anniversary as we would wish to, the nightmare a thing forgotten, a family which is a real family in every sense of the word, together.

You will be sorry to hear that I had no luck with the Derby, I didn’t even draw a horse so took no interest in the race or winner!  Next Derby I hope once again to organise the office sweep and, as was my wont to draw the favourite!

Having very little to do yesterday afternoon I accompanied my G2, a very nice chap named Morris on a trip round the countryside meeting on our travels none other than Ian who was in ‘fairly’ good form – looking I thought a trifle tired and pre-occupied.  He has only been here a few days I think.  He told me that Diana had had a girl at the beginning of the month, a fact which I think caused him a certain amount of disappointment.  Maz dear how very sweet of you to have got me a present for the 17^th – very very many thanks – I really think with the posts as they are at the moment that it would be better for it to be kept for a bit until things become fairly normal.  I have had no letter from Eileen since the 5^th June (your last one was dated 13^th) so it just shows how cock-eyed the posts are at present though it’s amazing that we get anything at all.  I was very interested to hear of Francis’ brothers visit to you – Francis is out here now – he was summoned over very urgently and suddenly to replace a casualty – I haven’t seen him as yet.  I do so hope some of my letters have reached you by now – I landed on the 6^th and on the 7^th sent you and Eileen each a Field Service PC, I had of course no time to write a letter, but wanted to put your mind at rest – I hope when next I hear from you my mail will have started to arrive.  The weather changed very suddenly yesterday though it’s improved again today, every thing got soaked through but thanks to the tent which I have scrounged I kept comparatively dry.  Maz dear I must close – so very many thanks for your letter of good wishes, much love to you and God bless you – my love to Pari and Elli, I think so very much about you all

            Yours as always

Very affectionately

                        Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 21 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Dated June 20^th rec June 29^th 1944.      (7)