D -36

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Wednesday 6  February

9 pm.

My own most precious darling,

A whole lot of thanks for your Friday letter which arrived this morning and for the many kind words and congrats on my MBE – the ECS was very quick on the draw – likewise the Telegraph and Essex Chronicle.  Yes, angel, it goes right after me name, at any rate that is the ‘done’ thing.  I very much doubt if I shall get to an Investiture, there are so many outstanding now that I just can’t see it happening, not this side of 1947 anyway, it would be rather fun wouldn’t it, and an excuse for a binge in Town!  I had very nice letters from Lois, Gerald and Brian today, Lois going to great lengths to say how she had never really expected it, Gerald taking the opportunity to announce his election to the Directorship of the Essex & Suffolk, and Brian his new car!  So everyone seems happy.  When you told me of Gerald’s job the other day I do seem to remember his telling me that he expected to fill Gurney’s place on the Board, though I can’t honestly say that I remember his turning off when not so elected – I think it must have been when I was in Scotland or round D day time.

Dearest heart, I’ve told you all my news, thanked you for many letters since my return on Monday but I must own up to having forgotten the most important thing of all – to thank you such a whole lot for the wizard present of that dispatch case, which has now risen considerably in value, and I just can’t thank you enough.

Our match last night against the unbeaten Q (Movements) team was very successful and we gave them their first beating – 7-3.  I didn’t get back to the Mess ‘til nearly 11 as the game started half an hour late owing to the lights fuzing, and after reading a few pages of an excellent book by Lady E. Smith, called ‘Magic Lantern’ I was soon asleep.  There is little of interest to report today and I’m now on night duty, tomorrow I shall be out most of the day looking round some rifle ranges and in the evening I may go along to see a Sonja Henge (?) film which is on all this week.  You will be pleased to hear that my what-not is better, and touching wood, I think the miracle has happened and that I have thrown off the flu germ.  I have one slight worry on my mind at the moment, arising from a letter received this morning from Gibson’s announcing the programme of their courses and requesting an immediate reply as to what I want to do.  The worrying thing is this – the 5 months class starting 9 May (ideal) will only be held in Guildford, the 6 month and 4 month in London – but the 6 month starts on April 2^nd, and hence the problem.  I wrote this pm telling them that I couldn’t possibly attend the Guildford course, (lectures start at 12 am) and also saying that the 2 April one would only give me some 19 days after being demobbed to settle down in, I have asked them for their advice, earliest  – all very tricky isn’t it.  if the worst comes to the worst I think I must do the 6 month course and our programme would them have to be re-adjusted as follows:-

14 Mar – HOME

21 Mar – Up to Dunkeld for 10 days

31 Mar – Return home

2 Apr – Start course at 2.15 pm.

The hours in London are good – the lectures are from 2.15 -3.45 on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fris, which, on those days will mean catching the 12.30 ? train up and 6 ocl train back giving me about 1½ hours at the Law Societies Hall after the lectures for a cupper and writing up me notes.  It is a problem though, what says you chum?  One must look rather to the future and so very much hangs on to my passing in November.  I was very disturbed to hear today that the food rations are to be cut to the war-time level – it really is a bugger, isn’t it?  But soon there will be 2 of us to cater for which won’t be quite so bad, or will it?  Now my dearest heart, I must awa the noo, I can hardly believe that in the absolutely small number of 35 days I shall really be home, how I wish it will just flash past – it won’t be long now, and oh! how I’m longing for it – if we have to curtail our visit to Scotland to 10 days, boy will we make up for it in August when the course breaks up for a month – God bless you, sweetest girl, always – I’m just LONGING for ‘this time 35 days’, and think of nothing but you, only you, and our wizard home.  ALL my love is yours for ever

            and always, and always will be

                        Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 7 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope 6 Feb.