G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.L.A..

Sunday 1 July 45

My dearest Maz,

I was so delighted during the week to get your two most interesting letters of the 22^nd and 26^th and to hear of all your various doings.  The party at the Airies, the wedding and your day at the Naze.  I gather that the wedding was not absolutely a 100% success – I should have thought they could have done better than one bottle of gin.  Also the parents seem to have been a trifle odd, what bad luck their arriving at half time.  It must have been lovely at the Naze on Sunday and I’m sure it did you a lot of good.  I have very little of interest to report this week – it has been a strenuous one as I had expected with Tim Roberts away but he got back last night so I’m hoping now that the pressure will ease off a bit.  My only two items of social interest were Wednesday evening and last night.  On Wednesday I had dinner with Edward Rice who has now left us to go back to a job in England the lucky chap, and he and I went along afterwards to see a film called ‘Irish Eyes are Smiling’ – the cinema here is a very comfortable one and there is plenty of room – no civilians of course.  The plan wasn’t too bad good light entertainment and a refreshing change.  Last night was a guest night in the mess.  I invited Jim Harries, recently joined as a G2 Ops in place of John Roberts who will not be coming back and after dinner I played my first game of cards for many months.  We played 21 from about 10 until 1.30 this morning and it was a very enjoyable game.  No one won or lost much and a good quantity of Rhine wine was consumed.  My final score was +5 marks (2/6) which might have been worse.  My total contribution to the war effort today will be a smart walk up to the barracks before lunch mainly to see whether there is any mail.  I didn’t get up until nearly 10 this morning, Charles and I having our breakfast in bed!  This afternoon I shall go for a short walk and shall do various odd jobs between tea and dinner then early to bed.  My leave is now practically fixed and unless something terrible happens I hope to arrive in England on the 25^th – I don’t think the Harwich route is open yet – that is the Hook to Harwich but one gets 11 days in England now counting the day you land and the day you have to return.  Only just over 3 weeks to go – what a super thought, isn’t it?  It already seems ages since those wonderful days only just over a fortnight ago.  The time goes fairly quickly here but I simply loathe and detest Germany – the news on demobbing doesn’t seem too good and the general consensus of opinion is that the 24s and 25s won’t be out until March or so – a very depressing thought as one seems to be wasting such a lot of time out here – the work and there is plenty of it is not in the slightest bit interesting, one feels more than ever the impatience and desire to get down to ones normal job and to settle down to a life one can hardly seem to remember – a life which will never be like the pre-war years but one when at least you can call your soul your own.  Thank you so much, Maz dear, for all the trouble you are taking about a flat for us – it is very worrying but something, thanks to your efforts will turn up.  I’m certain of that, but I do hope it has turned up by the time Eileen is released as she will be kept busy, and pleasantly so, until my turn comes.  I must away now, and go up to the barracks.  Much love to you and God bless, my love to you  Pari and Elli.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘O A S’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 2 JY 45.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.          

On front of envelope Written July 1^st 1945 rec July 4^th 1945.   (24)