Major P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps District

B.A.O.R.

Sunday 6 Jan 46

My dearest Maz,

Back to the ‘daily round and common task’ once again and I’m finding it extremely difficult to raise any enthusiasm for work – I only hope the next two months go by reasonably quickly – I see in the papers yesterday that officers in Age Group 25 are due to start being demobilised on March 14^th – so, working on that basis it gives me only 67 more days out here then HOME!!

This time last week to the minute we were waiting for you and Pari to pick us up at the flat prior to the King’s party – it honestly might have been yesterday in some ways.  I haven’t done much in the work line since I’ve been back but have had to attend 2 special ‘parties’ – one on Friday for Jack Bechanell, one of our mess chaps, and one of our leave trio who got back to fine himself posted to another unit prior to his being demobbed in a fortnight’s time.  None of our chaps appear in the New Year’s Honours List and I’m told there is to be a special list shortly for services in NW Europe, but whether or not I shall touch gold remains to be seen and I’m certainly not banking on it.

The other party I had to go to was one run by the Defence Company last night but I didn’t stay very late and then slept in until 9.15 this a.m.  I spent quite a bit of this morning up at the office and this afternoon I played in a friendly hockey match v the local hospital who beat us 2-1, the ground was very bad and the frost which we’ve had here since I got back thawed out and it was like playing on a ground covered in glue, still it was excellent exercise and great fun – we are beginning to feel the effect of demob etc and we didn’t have a strong side out.  This morning I had my first letter from Eileen who seemed very lonely though your kindness in asking her in after I had gone and again for tea and supper on Wednesday had cheered her up no end – she really has done a good job of work at the flat hasn’t she?  I had never expected anything nearly so nice or so cosy – quite ideal.  An awful thought struck me the other day – I have never written to Aunt Beth – it is very high on my list of priorities but not knowing her address I am writing to her at Oxford Road and will be very grateful if you will forward it on to her.  There really is very little news from this end and the demob complex is at its height with most people going about saying ‘only 8 more weeks etc’ a society which I’ve now joined!  Oh! it really was grand to have seen you again on my leave, would that we could have had longer together though we made the most of everything, didn’t we?  Now it is only 2 months before I shall be home for good and all and though my first 6 or 7 months at home won’t be easy ‘this time next year’ exams will be a thing of the past and life will once more be normal.  I’m so looking forward to hearing from you, you are a wonderful correspondent, please continue writing twice a week, your letters are always filled with interesting items.  Much love to you, Maz dear and God bless you.  My love to Pari and Elli.

            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 7 JA 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.

On back Major P.C. Benham, G Branch, HQ 1 Corps District, B.A.O.R.      

On front of envelope Written Jan 6^th 1945 [46] rec Jan 9^th 1945 [46].            (2)