Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Thursday 6^th December

8.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

It’s been one of the foulest days here I think I’ve ever known, snowing hard most of the morning, at lunchtime it turned rather warmer and the snow turned into a sort of misty fog and it’s been like that ever since – I think I’ve said enough!  Anyway I wasn’t very surprised to hear this evening that the first days leave postponement in December has occurred, so I’m now due back on the 17^th and not the 16^th–  Ted Wasdell and I are coming back together and we have agreed that if there is another days cancellation we will stick to the rules, but not if there is a third – so I shall definitely be home either on the 17^th or 18^th – 18^th at the latest.

Can you add the Bakers, and Vi and Ernest to the list of people I’ll be sending Christmas cards to – so far there is no sign of the cards but they should be here in a day or two.

Once again I’m in Dick’s room this evening – wearing me blues and pullover with my magnificent waist-coat over the top!  I heard quite an amusing little story this evening which is just worthy of repetition – a north country girl was being questioned by her mother about the latest suitor – ‘well, dear’ she said ‘you’ve bin walking out now with ‘im for three weeks, wots ‘e like, and why don’t you bring ‘im ‘ome for a bite?  And wot does ‘e do for hisself?’  ‘Well, ma,’ she said ‘ he’s ever so nice.  I don’t know hexactly what ‘e is, proper educated ‘e is, talks real nice ‘e does, I think ‘e must be a doctor, because, mother, you know those aches and pains I’s always getting, well he’s cured those!!

I shan’t be al all sorry if our hockey this weekend is put off unless the weather suddenly improves it is going to be no fun playing and the ground here and at Bad Oeyenhausen will be very bad – I fancy a good quiet day on Sunday.  I do hope we don’t get a lot of snow when I’m home, I look forward to some good crisp days and a few brisk walks – I think we can go nap on a spot of dancing on Saturday 22^nd, there is bound to be a dance at the Club, or more preferable, I reckon, the George.  Dinner there first, I wonder if there is anyone we could make up a party with – have you any bright ideas because I think we should have to book a table some time in advance – I wonder if Nancy King and her husband (sorry – I should say Treddie), will be about?  There will be plenty of time to organise the New Year party when I get home.

I will enclose a little card to go on Lois’ bunch of flowers for her birthday.  I wonder if the things from Solingen have arrived yet and if they come up to your expectations – I’m going to have another run over there next week!  Well, dearest heart, I have one or two small items of work to clear up before I retire – so very reluctantly I must say goodnight, my love and au revoir.  All my love is yours, only yours and I’m thinking of nothing and no-one but you.  God bless you, angel and keep you.

Yours for ever

            and always,

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘O A S’ addressed to Mrs Peter C Benham, 9 Vint Crescent Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 8 DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope 6 Dec.

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