Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.L.A..

Sunday 8 July 45

My dearest Maz,

I got slightly worried on Tuesday when your letter of the 29^th arrived reporting no sign of the letter I had written on the 24^th – but I was re-assured yesterday when I heard from you that it had eventually turned up – what a long time it had taken to come but as you say the reason must have been that the Base Censor – very base, had been at it – a most unusual thing as they take only one or two at random from the thousands that pass through their hands.  Many thanks, Maz dear for your letters and also for the profusion of excellent reading matter which arrived during the week – Picture Post, Readers Digest etc etc – all most gratefully received.  I was most interested to hear of Clifford King’s ‘civvy suiting’ it all sounds very superior and pansy.  I wonder if there is any chance of Pari being out by the time I get home on the 25^th?  It would be grand if he is.  I also look forward to a game of tennis when I’m back – I haven’t hit a ball now for two years and feel really keen on having a whack.

The week has gone by very quickly and I’ve had 3 evenings ‘out’ – the first on Monday when I went to the Officers’ Club for the farewell party of a friend of mine (release group 6) we had a very jolly evening.  On Wednesday I brought Tim Roberts back for an early dinner and afterwards we went along to see the ENSA show; we had been told how frightful it was but I must admit that I’ve seen many worse.  The compere was alleged to have been Jack Buchanan’s understudy – quite possible but it must have been in JB’s very early days! – he was one of the pansiest chaps I’ve seen for many a long day – excellent false teeth, crimped greying hair a tail coat and white tie and ‘Mutt and Geoff’ with cellophane wrapping on his lapel – we got a lot of fun out of him.  I’ve got a feeling that he thought we were laughing at his jokes!

Last night Charles and I went to see a film called ‘Music for Millions’, very sloppy in parts but with some excellent music and humour.  I enjoyed it a lot.  Otherwise the week has just been work – very busy but being away each night at 7.30 makes a big difference and having Sunday off is an absolute Godsend.  This afternoon Tim Roberts and I took a car out to the Mohne Dam which is about an hour’s run from here and the scene of that great exploit, still very apparent, for which Guy Gibson got his VC.  It was a lovely afternoon and we each had a cause out on the lake for about an hour and a half.  Afterwards we ‘made’ a really good tea at a sort of officers’ club place which they are starting.

Many thanks for sending on the photos – they really weren’t too bad, but might have been better I think, the best were the one of you and Sandy, Eileen holding stick, and Sandy!  I have sent them back to her.  She seems to be getting very excited at the thought of her forthcoming release, so should I be if mine was as near as hers.  I wish they would hurry ours up a bit though I’m afraid there is little likelihood of that happening.  In just one day over a fortnight’s time my journey homeward will have started and am I looking forward to it?  Yessir.  I very much doubt if I shall be able to get to Harwich this time as I don’t think the Harwich route is still open – later on I believe they are going to use the route from the Hook to Harwich.

I finished the last piece of that wonderful cake the other day, it had been well eked out, it really was a beauty.  I won’t send the tin back as I shall be coming back so soon, I will bring it when I come.  I haven’t been able to do much scrounging recently for stamps, there just hasn’t been a chance though I keep a constant look-out for anything that’s going.  Well, little Maz, I must away now to have a bath which is now being got ready for me – I can’t get over old Williams going to Pages for his house selling – a very bad show I call it.  Please give my love to Pari and Elli.  I’m so longing to see you again on the 25^th all being well.  Much love

            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 9 JY 45.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.          

On front of envelope Written July 8^th 1945 rec July 11^th 1945. (25)