Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Thursday 8^th November

My dearest Maz

I thought I would drop you a line tonight, as I’m off to Brussels tomorrow and I hea me doots if I shall be able to write on Sunday – a signal came in yesterday announcing the team which has been selected for Sunday and I’m pleased to say my name was right there – I saw the Chief of Staff this morning and asked if he had any objection to my going and, of course, he hadn’t (couldn’t have even if he’d wanted as the Rhine Army signal read ‘Corps will make the above players available etc!)  I shall be off in the morning and we assemble at Rhine Army HQ at 3 pm, catch a train and get to Brussels just before midnight.  It should be great fun, and I’ll give you a full account of it all when I get back, probably on Monday evening.  So far this week I’ve been very busy but managed to get some exercise yesterday in a pick-up game we had, my legs have completely healed and there are no ill effects.

The mail has been simply frightful this week, since Sunday.  I’ve had three four letters one each from you and Pari, Elli and Eileen.  I was delighted to get your letter on Monday written last Friday and choc-a-bloc with interesting items of news, I was very relieved to hear that the canteen fetched £35, we paid £40 (Woodward’s valuation), so it might have been worse – the price the piano fetched was a real good ‘un, wasn’t it?  I shall be most interested to hear what the other stuff made.

I must say from all accounts, and speaking comparatively, I think the local election results might have been a lot worse, the big thing is that the Reds haven’t got control – I can see I shall have to do something about it when I can get the time.  I was sorry to hear that Ernest got put off, but somehow rather expected it.  Tomorrow is the 5^th anniversary of that never-to-be-forgotten day, 9 Nov 40, and when I look back on the past 5 years I realise more than ever how wonderfully lucky I’ve been in nearly every way.  I say ‘nearly’ because the events of June 44 just prevent it from being 100%; parents who to me never seem to grow older and are always the same, brother as kind-hearted as anyone could be, wife whom I love now more, if it’s possible, than I did when I married her – Yes, I have many blessings for which I am truly thankful, and my only hope and prayer is, that these things may never change – let the Labour people do their damndest to make ones lot a stereotyped one, a nation of puny civil servants with no ambition and no character, they must never assault the family way of life, one thing is sure, they will never succeed in the long run, not with our family anyway.  Now, little Maz, I must away – here’s to Christmas and seeing you again, my love to Pari and Elli and my thanks for their most welcome letters.  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 9 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.    

On front of envelope Written Nov 5^th 1945 rec Nov 12^th 1945 (14)

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