Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.L.A..

Sunday 22 July 45

My dearest Maz,

This will be my last letter to you until I return which I hope will be on Thursday. –  On Monday and again yesterday there was a day’s postponement on account of gales in the channel so instead of getting home on Wednesday I’m now not due back until Friday, but Charles is going a day before me and, as there is no check up on the date you leave here (one gets the same length of time in England) I shall go back with him, leaving here on Wednesday.  There’s a terrific wind blowing today and I only hope and pray it won’t cause another day’s postponement.

I was delighted during the week to hear all your news in your letters dated 13^th and 17^th.  When was Teenie married – I imagine it must have been yesterday – I’m sorry to have missed yet another wedding.  I hope old John gets back while I’m home – he will probably look like a nigger I should think and will no doubt have some most interesting stories to tell.

This week seems to have gone past fairly quickly and I’ve had several evenings out.  On Wednesday evening Charles and I went to the Cinema where we saw ‘Together Again’ – Irene Dunn and Charles Boyer, well worth seeing and good entertainment.  On Thursday I gave a small dinner party, the guest of honour being Dick Carrick, who was at Uppingham with me and is in one of our Divs, Charles and Trevor Harrison (my G’s) were the others.  On Friday I was also at the Officers’ Club, this time as Trevor’s guest, he was celebrating his birthday.  Oh! and I forgot to mention that on Monday night I had dinner with George Holden, now a Major, he was the chap I came on leave with last time.  It was a guest night in his mess and a very enjoyable evening we had too.  So my week has been a fairly gay one, and during office hours, except for Monday, not such a hectic one as usual.  The pressure of work has died down considerably.  I’ve had a really lazy day today so far, this morning after breakfast at 9 ocl I wandered out for a short walk and then sat around in the mess reading yesterdays papers.  This afternoon shame on me, but it was not pleasant outside, I retired to my room where I spent a couple of hours on my bed alternately reading and snoozing!  Charles and I are going out later to see a film – I’m told it’s quite amusing, and so will end a quiet and restful day.  Yes, I do so hope the weather is good when I’m home, Eileen hasn’t booked up anywhere, and I’m very pleased – I gave her a free hand in that direction – I think the odd day or two out is much better, don’t you?  I’m longing to have a bang at a tennis ball – heaven knows what I shall be like – it’s two years since I touched a racquet.  Well Maz I must away and will give you any further news when we meet on Thursday.  My love to Pari and Elli.  I’m longing to see you again – only 4 more days.  Much love

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 23 JY 45.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.          

On front of envelope Written July 22^nd 1945 rec July 26^th 1945.         (27)