Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 21 October 1945

My dearest Maz

 My week with 2 Group came to an end yesterday and I was back here just before lunch to find two most welcome letters from you and three lots of papers, also the ECS.  Many thanks, Maz, for the letters and literature.  I was most interested to hear of the various alterations to No 5 and look forward to seeing the ‘new’ drawing and morning rooms – how very grand the advert re the sale was – I loved the boost they gave it by saying ‘the property of a major’!  I hope the sale was a success, also I shall be most interested to hear how much the various odds and ends which Eileen put in will fetch – I’m afraid the prices are going down a bit now.  I hope you have recovered from the visits of the Airies and Mrs Carter and know how thankful you must feel now your duty has been done!  My week has been an amazing one, and during one period of 24 hours I visited France, Belgium, Holland and Germany!  On Monday I went over to 2 Group HQ where I spent the night before flying down in an Anson on Tuesday morning to one of their 3 wings in Brussels.  We were some time taking off owing to engine trouble but eventually got there at 1 ocl.  That afternoon I spent on an exercise and after a night in the Palace Hotel (the Hamoir’s are still in Zoute!) flew down to another Wing at Cambrai on Wednesday afternoon, it is about 75 miles from Brussels and it took us 15 mins! but we were in one of the faster twin engine jobs, that lovely machine, the Mosquito.  After seeing round the station and being introduced to the various bosses I saw a really excellent film at the station cinema, the film of ***** book ‘The Keys of the Kingdom’, excellent I thought.  I flew back to Brussels on Thursday evening, with a formation of 8 other Mosquitoes and again spent the night at the Palace, as the RAF are very short of accommodation, suited me!  Then I flew back to 2 Group on Friday afternoon, again in an Anson, touching down near Breda to pick up a passenger, and arrived at Gutersloh just after tea.  My main reason for getting back yesterday was to play in a league hockey game but on my arrival found it had been postponed! instead I found myself very busy up to 6 ocl – Nigel and I went to see a most amusing film yesterday evening, it didn’t sound a bit good, but we rearly laughed our bloomin’ ‘eads orf, it was called ‘Junior Miss’, I wonder if you’ve seen it?  Yesterday, and it was the same all the week, was perfect here, no cloud, no wind and very warm, today when I was really looking forward to a fine day it has been cold and wet.  I went up to the office for an hour this morning and after doing a few odd jobs after lunch had an hour’s very solid shut-eye!  Have just finished a most interesting tea.  I see from the ECS that Ernest has got to fight ‘Bolshie’ Lampard in the local bi-election I don’t know if one can be liable to forfeit ones deposit but if it is possible I hope the Lampard does!  I shall be most interested to hear the results.  After dinner and to prevent boredom I’m going to see a film called ‘Czarina’ with T. Bankhead in it – I don’t expect it will much good but you never know.  The thought of my next leave is an ever present one now and we shall very soon be in November – I am longing to be back again – I fear any ‘dreams of a pin-stripe Christmas’ permanent pin-stripe have gone completely by the board, the position is more confused than ever now as a result of twit Isaacs latest statement.  Please thank Pari very much for his last letter, he seems to be getting well dug-in at the office again, also the Elli for his, my love to them both.  Am longing to see you again, Maz dear, much love to you,

            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 22 OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Oct 21^st 1945 rec Oct 24^th 1945 (11)

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