Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.A.O.R.

Sunday 16 September

I entirely forgot the linen – I am sending it off to Eileen soon with instructions that you are to have some – unfortunately the stock is exhausted and it was pure luck that I got any at all.  P

My dearest Maz,

Since Tuesday I’ve thought so much about you and Pari at the Palace Court and by the time this reaches you your 1945 holiday will have become one of the things of the past – I do so hope the weather was kind to you, it hasn’t been at all bad here this week, and I’m so looking forward to hearing all about it, the journey there and back etc, etc – So very many thanks for your letters this week, one written on Friday the other just after everything was packed up ready to go, (all bar the office!).   I’m so pleased Eileen has been able to help you and do the little jobs which a holiday entails, she loves doing them.  Your tennis on ‘the grass’ is nearly over now but you have certainly made the most of the season and we got some very good games when I was home didn’t we?  You will never guess what I am doing today – I’m playing in an American Tennis Tournament – at 11 ocl I appear at the courts and we draw for partners – I think the majority of players, a fair proportion of officers, ATS and ORs will be performing without much of a clue but it might be amusing – I will leave this open and add a PS as to how I get on.  The extra hour in bed this morning (all our clocks are back an hour) was very welcome but I woke up at 7 ocl (new time) and didn’t get to sleep again.  My week has been mainly occupied by organising and playing various games – hockey, tennis and soccer.  On Monday evening I played a single with our DDST – Col Bright-Holmes – he is about 46 and was Army Champion, played for Hampshire and at Wimbledon.  He is still very useful but is really a doubles player – after 1½ hrs excellent games I beat him  2-1.  He has to play with his elbow bound up and our return game on Tuesday was cancelled, as he told me I had finished him for some time! anyway for a single.  Thursday was a hockey afternoon against a team from another branch, my G team won a rather poor game 7-0 (5).  We played an inter mess soccer game on Wednesday and on Thursday evening I had a single with Nigel Raban.  In between times I have been very busy and there has been enough work to make the time go very quickly.  I have been appointed 1 Corps member on the Rhine Army Hockey Committee which will entail a little more work but not the sort of work I mind!  Our first meeting is next Friday and will mean a longish journey and the first trip away from the office since my return from leave.  Nothing has come in yet about the golf in Denmark, I have a brochure of the course which looks lovely but there are nearly 100 entries from 1 Corps alone and only 10 will be accepted so my chances of going are very remote!  I shan’t be at all sorry as I shall nip down for a long 72 hours to Brussels in lieu and should get some really good days golf at Waterloo – I had a long letter from Germaine the other day and she says Zoute is very rapidly losing its West Wall appearance though 9 holes is the best out of the 3 courses they can do – Lekkubek completely written off – the Casino – wait for it – the Casino is open – that should give Pari a mental kick!  Only the ground floor though.  I also have to thank you for the wonderful array of mags which came early this week and some more baccy – 2 lots during the last fortnight, the last one marked GCB 3.  I am on the lookout for his latest markings.  Now, little Maz, the time has come for me to get ready for the Tournament so I must away – you have know idea how glowingly Eileen writes about you both, you are absolute P.Hs (Public Heroes).  Much love to Pari and Elli and to yourself, not very long now before our next and final leave.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

Later,  Have just had dinner  and feel very exhausted after playing 92 games!!  About 40 people were there, all sorts and sizes and my partner drawn for was an Ordnance Captain – fairly steady at times, we played a short set, sudden death of 5 all, and mixed pairs started 15 a game up, and one lost 15 for every game one was up – new balls etc.  To cut a long story short we won our section by one game and played, almost dark, the winners of the other section, whom we beat 7-5!  My prize, which I first saw at lunch!, was a fitted ladies dressing case, good value, which I shall send back to Eileen!  M.L. Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 17 SP 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope Written Sept 16^th 1945 rec Sept 19^th 1945.        (6)

On back of envelope Major P.C. Benham, G Branch, HQ 1 Corps District BAOR.