G Branch
N.B. New address HQ I Corps District
B.L.A..
Thursday 31May 45
My dearest Maz,
I didn’t write to you last night (a) because I was very late after a film and (b) because I have been awaiting confirmation of good news today. The good news ,
now confirmed, is that I have been allotted a vacancy on a 3 day course at Larkhill commencing 13 Jun finishing 16 Jun – isn’t it splendid? I am hoping to fly back on the 11th and then return here after my official 48 hours leave on the 19th – at the end of my letter I will set out my out-line programme! I was so delighted during the last week to receive your two letters of the 22nd and 25th – you really are a real sport to write so often, as you know your letters are an eagerly awaited event would that recently I had enough time to write better letters to you, but really these last 6 or 7 weeks things have been terribly hectic and they will continue so until the end of June when all being well one will be able to relax a bit and settle down to more or less peace time hours of work – not quite peace time as they never worked after lunch in the prewar days as you well remember! Yes, I saw red too when I heard the news about the flat but later careful thought on the subject has considerably reduced my anger and I’m certain it will be all for the best but we will be able to go into the position more carefully when I’m home in the near future.
My week has not been entirely uneventful and after a fortnight’s solid slogging in the office I at last got away from Rhede on Saturday. I had a job to do in Brussels in the afternoon and was only told I was to go that morning I snapped up the opportunity as it meant for me the practically novel experience of an air trip of some 120 miles. The job I had to do was put off until Sunday morning but I worked it so that I could still go on Saturday afternoon! We left Rhede at 4 ocl and I was in Brussels Airport at 5.30, after a most interesting flight all over the Goch battlefield then over the Meuse, over Helmond and if you get your glass magnifying out and draw a direct line from Rhede to Brussels you will see my route! I travelled in one of the small Air OP planes and it was most comfortable and I didn’t have to use the vomit bag! It took me just as long to get up to the Avenue Louise where I found the Hamoir’s and Maurice in great form – we had an excellent dinner and played cards, talked and drank brandy afterwards. On Sunday morning I had my job completed by mid-day when we went up to Waterloo for lunch. Germaine and Maurice had fixed to play in a competition but I luckily picked up a man named Devers whose partner failed to arrive and I marked his card. The comp was for members only. He used to be the Belgian Champ with a handicap of +1 but is slightly past it now and plays off 5. He and I finished all square but both had some bad holes (and some good ‘uns). I left the Club at 4.45 got a lift into Brussels, saw Tim Roberts in Hospital and was at the airport at 6.30. Coming back we had the wind behind and it only took us an hour. I was having dinner at 8 pm! It was a much needed break and I was very grateful to Martin Bunch for giving me the job to do. Apart from this interlude I’ve been busier than ever but last night went to the 9.30 officers’ only film show where I saw a rather absurd but quite amusing film called ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’! One hut it was shown in was very crowded and Charles and I had to sit almost in the front row and the noise was terrific, as were the figures on the screen! The news was excellent and they showed the VE day scenes in London.
Maz dear it’s almost midnight so I must close – I’m so longing to see you again in just about 12 days time – the cake which I only finished last week-end was an absolute smasher and it was very carefully eked out, yessir! The programme of my visit all being well is on the back. My love to Pari and Elli, much love to you. God bless,
Yours as ever
very affectionately
Peter
PTO.
Date.
11 June Arrive Croydon 5.30 pm. Meet Eileen dinned G.E. & then on
Colchester about 9.45
12 June Colchester
13 June Depart for Amesbury about 4 pm. Course assembles.
14 June Course
15 June Course
16 June Course ends midday – back to Colchester
17 June Up to London for dinner.
18 June London.
19 June Leave Croydon for Germany early in a.m.
In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.
Not postmarked. Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.
On front of envelope Written May 31st 1945 rec June 4th 1945. (21)
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 