Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 18^th November 45

My dearest Maz

 Today saw the arrival of your most interesting letter written on Monday – many thanks.  The very thought of that large fat and brown Turk makes my mouth water and your kind invitation to partake of its riches are accepted nem con.  I do hope I really do get back for the 25^th – as things are it’s a snip but you know what the army is and one never can tell!  I will do ‘me level’ to get some scissors for you, it shouldn’t be difficult provided I can get out to the place where they come from – leave it to me.  I was most interested in the curt and horribly official letter which included – pro tem, all Pari’s work for the town and I thought his reply was an excellent one, I wonder if it is read out at the Council meeting, if not it certainly should be, and would cause many an uncomfortable hour for the Reds.  I gather from a letter I had today from Eileen that Lampard wrote to Pari, but what’s the use in writing a conscience saver after the ‘foul deed is done’, the time for that sort of thing is before and let it prevent a chicken-hearted action.  I thought Hervey’s article ‘The price of power’ was a very good one and I shall be interested to see his comments after the election of the Aldermen – he must realise at last what a first class wop he’s been.

Since my last letter to you my only three items of interest to report are 2 games of hockey and a film which I saw last night, for the rest I’ve been extremely busy and am likely to be far more so this next fortnight as my G3, Leonard Olney went off on leave yesterday and his was a pretty full-time job which I now have to cope with besides my own.  I shall be very thankful when the 2^nd December comes because then my course at Paderborn will only be a week ahead, and when that is over the next stop, to make a rhyme, is Dover!  I’m just longing for Christmas more than I can say, and from what I gather about officers demob there is every chance of my being OUT for good in March, which will be only 10 weeks or so after my leave ends – super show.  Our first game of hockey was on Wednesday afternoon when we beat the General Hospital 3-2, a rotten game with our side much below strength.  Today’s game, a friendly, was as good as the Wednesday one was bad, it was quite the best game we have had here this season, and we were very unlucky to loose 4-3 to HQ BAOR – the very numerous spectators, it was a lovely afternoon, got their money’s worth alright – the game was very fast and clean.  We were 1-1 at half time then 2-1 and 3-2 down then 3-3 with 4 minutes to go, and just before the end their inside left obviously kicked the ball, everyone saw it except the umpire who allowed the defender to go on and score – rather tough.  I scored both our last 2 goals, a couple of real pile drivers – it was great fun and we all had tea in the Officers’ Club afterwards – we had had lunch there.  The Chief of Staff – yes, he plays, wasn’t in very good form, though he thoroughly enjoyed it and entered into the spirit of the things.

Last night I saw the film which you saw some time ago ‘Mr Skeffington’ – after rather a hard week I was in the mood to enjoy anything and though I didn’t think a lot of the story, I thought the acting, especially Claude Rains, was first class.  Your cake is a magnificent one – I was on duty on Friday night and took two slices up with me – I am being very Aunt Maudish with it though and still have half of it left – for my exclusive use!  Maz dear, I must away now – I’m so longing to see you again – only 5 weeks to go, bash on Father Time, my love to Pari and Elli, much love to you

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

P.S – I’m longing for a ride in the new car!  Very pansy it sounds.

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 19 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Nov 18^th 1945 rec Nov 21^st 1945 (16)

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