D -45

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Monday 28^th January

6.45 pm.

My own most precious darling,

There promises to be rather a long ‘session’ this evening as 5 stalwarts from D Mess are coming over at 8 ocl to play us at Table Tennis – we shall get a proper hiding but they are bringing their dart board with them so perhaps we may get our own back at that!  Many thanks, darling, for your Thursday letter which arrived this morning – I was delighted to hear that Joan is coming to spend a few days with you – it will certainly be a pleasant change – please remember that I shall expect to hear some very good stories as a result of her visit!  I’m so pleased you had such a good day at Mersea, the two children sound most attractive – Sorry to hear that Lois has been in poor form, very trying and always the same when things go quite wrong.  I entirely agree that we must join the Officers’ Club, I will go up and see Ladlow when I get back to make the necessary arrangements.

Slight item of news which will give you, I hope, something of a minor thrill – they have been and gone and awarded me a MBE!  I was told about it this afternoon and saw me name in print, Peter Carr Benham etc (Colchester) in the London Gazette dated 24 Jan I think it was – Lois will no doubt say ‘I told you so’ but you can tell her to stuff it because there were only two for our G Branch (an OBE plus mine) and there honestly was nothing automatic about it and though I says it as oughtn’t I did put in quite a lot of hard work between D day and VE day.  Angel girl, I fear I must pop along and wash before dinner so will say, au revoir for now.

11 pm.  Back again darling after a very enjoyable evening – as things turned out we were only beaten 3-2 at Pingers and then suffered a heavy but hilarious defeat at darts – Ted Wasdell and I won our games and we were 2 all with one game to play – our no 5 is almost a non-player so didn’t get much of a look-in – we then played 2 doubles matches winning one and losing one.  It was a good evening though and everyone enjoyed it.  Tomorrow I’m going over to Dortmund for the evening to have dinner with Peter Royle, we shall, I hope, be able to have a real good natter.  You will be pleased to hear of a considerable reduction in smoking on my part these last few days – I’m now down to 10 per day and don’t find it the strain I thought I would – I’ve been doing it since last Wednesday!  I’m afraid there is very little else to report so will close down now but will be back with you again tomorrow night.  Could you let Lois know about the MBE as I shan’t be writing her a special letter – Dearest, dearest heart, God bless and keep you always – I live only for March and to see you again and be with you for ever – ALL absolutely ALL, my love to you, now and for ever and always.  I shall be yours, just yours darling

                                    Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 30 JA 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope 28 Jan.