Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.L.A..

Sunday morning 19 Aug 45

My dearest Maz,

I was so delighted to get your most welcome letter on Wednesday written on the 11^th – poor old Maz, what a nasty time you had.  I do so hope you feel really better now, it sounds very much like Dorothy’s attack of 48 hour flu – it is no fun at any time to feel rotten, but, as you say, far worse when you have to run a house yourself.  I got a wizard consignment of papers from you the other day and two consignments of DF baccy, for all of which many thanks.  I had a long chat yesterday morning with John Wilson – I had no idea that he has 3 children, his wife and family live near Aldershot.  He told me that Peggy Turnbull’s husband, Steward I think his name was, was killed recently in Burma – he was a full colonel in the Signal Corps – very sad.

What momentous news on Tuesday night, to think that nearly 6 years ago today Pari and I were mobilised – it seems in so many ways almost a life-time doesn’t it – now at long last the world is at peace again – may it never happen again and may we go forward to enjoy the fruits of our 6 years toil.  On Wednesday evening I went to the Iselohn Church where there was a special Thanksgiving Service, a very impromptu one which was not very well attended.  Thursday was a semi holiday and apart from an hour or so in the office during the morning I had the day off.  It made a very good break in a week which has during working hours found me extremely busy.  Tim Roberts went off on leave yesterday so until Trevor Harrison gets back on Thursday I am very much on my own with no possible chance of getting out.  They have now announced the release dates for groups 17 and 18 between 7-21 October so Tim Roberts whose group is 18 will not have many more weeks with us.  My entertainment activities this week have been threefold and oneach occasion really good.  On Thursday night I was asked to go and see the preview of a film called ‘The Way to the Stars’.  It is an English film and was being shown for one night only in a barn which has been magnificently converted into a miniature cinema holding 30-40 people – very comfortable arm chairs etc.  the film is an English production, all about a RAF station’s history through the war which was later handed over to the Americans.  The actors of note were John Mills, Michael Redgrave Stanley Holloway Basil Radford and Rosamund John (?) and I think it was one of the finest films I have ever seen, it knocked any Yank film into a cocked hat – first class acting photography etc.  you mustn’t miss it when it comes to Colchester.

Tim had dinner with me on Friday night and afterwards we went along to the ENSA show – the play was not a very strong one but the acting was extremely good – Rene Ray and Phyllis Dare were the two outstanding people in it – the troops, who don’t usually like a comedy played by ENSA, loved it.  Last night was a guest night and we killed five of our chickens in honour of the occasion.  We played a mild game of poker afterwards and after being very well up at about three quarters time with some amazing hands I never held another ‘bidding’ hand and finished up at 2 am this morning exactly 3d up!!  Charles on my right just didn’t have any fortune at all the whole evening and was the biggest loser.

Very shortly I must slip up to the office and just see what’s cooking and this afternoon I’m hoping, provided the weather holds, to get a game of tennis – at the moment it is very grey and looks as though it may pour at any moment.  I can’t ever remember a week of such vile weather, the sun has hardly been out at all and we have had no days without some rain.  I keep thinking of the wonderful weather we had on our leave and the marvellous time we had.  When you receive this, Eileen will be back and out for good – she sounded so excited about it in her last letter to me and is longing to get the flat in order – it makes me all the more impatient to get back and join her and to be back again with you all.  Now, Maz dear, I really must go up to the barracks.  I do so hope you are feeling really better and that you are taking things very easy – an attack of flu like that makes you feel very low for a bit.  My love to Pari and Elli – 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 20 AU 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Aug 19^th 1945 rec Aug 22^nd 1945.         (2)