Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.L.A..

Sunday 12 Aug 45

REMEMBER VINES.

My dearest Maz,

I didn’t write yesterday as my letter would only have been a very hurried one and wouldn’t have been posted any earlier than one written with my undivided attention today.  Before I tell you about my journey back, here’s thanking you for what, without a shadow of doubt, was quite the best leave ever – You were, in every way, the complete hero – I just can’t thank you enough for all the things you did for us – didn’t we have some wizard days and so much variety?  Those wonderful days at Walton, the tennis, golf and the host of other things, food for every meal par excellence, yes, it was a super leave.  This time last week (how often has one said that during the last 6 years) we were just on our way to Walton trying to eat ices without making a mess – it is now 10.50 am and a glorious day on the beach was ahead of us.  I had a ‘fair’ journey back – we got up to London absolutely on time and the Taxi got us to Victoria at 9.15.  After finding the right platform we had a cup of coffee and then wandered quietly along through a seething mass of returning troops to the train which was due out at 10.20.  I found myself a seat but then wasn’t allowed out past the barrier but Eileen and I had a good last minute chat over the barrier and we had to part at 10.15.  Charles arrived just after 10 ocl and we found a seat for him.  We went via Dover and arrived after a lot of hanging around at Calais at 5.45 to find that our train to Munster was due to leave just after 6 which didn’t leave us long in which to get dinner.  We then spent 19 solid hours in the train, fortunately I was fairly tired so got a bit of sleep and you can imagine how wonderfully welcome those sandwiches (in excellent condition) were.  We got in to Munster at 1.30 pm on Thursday and it was while we were there that we heard the first rumours of the Jap surrender offer.  A 3 ton lorry had us back, unshaved and unwashed, in the Mess by 6 ocl.  I didn’t go up to the office but had a good shave and bath before ‘becoming’ involved in an impromptu mess party to celebrate the Jap surrender.  (I still don’t know whether the Jap war really is over!)  Anyway it was wonderful news and we celebrated accordingly!

Yesterday saw me back to the grindstone again and I had a nonstop day – my G3 went off on leave on Thursday and I found several major worries to deal with though I’m told by Tim Roberts that they haven’t been at all overworked in my absence.  He asked me to have dinner with him last night and afterwards we went out to see a really excellent thriller called ‘Laura’ – no James Mason was not in it!  There was no one well known in the cast but it was well worth seeing.  I had expected to find myself on duty today but some kind person thinking I wouldn’t be back until yesterday has put me down for Tuesday night.  Later on this morning I shall walk up to the office and see what’s cooking and this afternoon I’m playing a game of tennis with a chap who fancies himself in the tennis line a lot.  In my absence they have got 4 hard courts going and racquets and balls can be borrowed free of charge from the groundsman – I shall be very interested to see what it’s like.

I have no concrete information about the later age groups being released but there is an air of great expectancy about that the thing is being speeded up (age group 16 has been brought forward 3 weeks) and I honestly think there is a reasonable chance of my being out by the end of the year – certainly in January – which is most cheering.  All being well some definitely news should be forthcoming today about the war in the Far East, how wonderful if it really is over – how relieved many anxious families in England will be.  Later on today I will be writing separate little notes to Pari and Elli, so will close now and get myself ready for the office.  Again, Maz dear, thanks for everything when I was home and may the time go very quickly between now and my return for good.  God bless you and much love.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

NB I hope the maxim at the head of the letter is still ringing in your ears!

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 13 AU 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Aug 12^th 1945 rec Aug 17^th 1945.          (1)