Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Tuesday 5^th February

My dearest Maz,

 When I got back yesterday evening I went straight up to the office and I found 2 letters from you waiting for me, many thanks Maz dear, and for the mags, a wonderful variety which I also found.  I was so tired last night that, after reading me letters, I laid me straight doon tae sleep.  You certainly seem to have had plenty of variety recently. I’m so glad the house decorating, or as much as is allowed to be done, has been completed and I hope before long the Parnell leg will be sufficiently well enough to permit an early resumption of Oxford Road cleaning.  The Noel Coward film you and Eileen saw must have been very good and I look forward to seeing it – Eileen said it was one of the best she had ever seen – also that the Rep standard has improved.  What colossal gales you have been having, the wind has been very strong here again today though it was only ‘fresh’ in Holland.  I can best describe the wonderful hockey tour as a day by day affair, it really was marvellous value.  We all forgathered up at BAOR HQ on Wednesday evening, and we were a most cheery collection of 15 officers.  On Thursday morning the party set off in 5 staff cars and after a wonderful run we reach the Hague just in the light at 5.30 pm.  That evening we spent quietly in the Officers’ Hotel which was our HQ throughout the tour, and it was to be our last quiet evening.  I was captain of the side and no captain ever had 15 nicer chaps in his team and it wasn’t always easy as only 11 could play in each game and the selection was left entirely to me, but never a word of criticism or sign of turning off came my way.  We were taken round the Art Galleries and House of Parliament on Friday morning and after lunch set off for Leiden where we played our first match v the University.  We won 4-1 after a shaky start.  PB got 2.  The evening saw our first official dinner and a very good one it was too, the students gave us a great party.  Saturday was our big game in Amsterdam v The Probable Dutch XI (in fact they will all play for Holland) and our first 15 minutes were disastrous – we were 4-0 down!  Thereafter we rallied and they beat us 6-2 in the end.  PB scored nil.  After the game we had a huge dinner given by the Dutch hockey Association, Union Jacks on the tables etc, and a great show it was.  Sunday was our last game v The Batavarian H.C. (a club of old internationals) and we beat ‘em 5-1 in pouring rain and strong wind.  PB scored 3.  Then in the evening our third and last dinner, given by the B.H.C., was a cracking success – they mostly had their wives with me, and during my third speech of the tour, my remark about the women and how sorry I felt for the flowers (lovely tulips on the tables) went down really big – everyone had had his/her fair share of the Dutch Gin!  I was very late that night, very tired, but well content with our efforts – we never expected to win our Saturday game.

Yesterday we left the Hague at 10 ocl and I stopped at the Twenteshe (?) Bank to see J. Van D but he had gone to lunch (it was 12.30!) and I just hadn’t time to chase out to his house.  I left a long note, some cigarettes and soap!  We didn’t get to BAOR HQ until 6 ocl and after hanging about for my car, and driving through the pouring rain it was 10.15 before I was back here.  I met many charming Dutch people and they seemed genuinely delighted with our visit – considering many of us were out of training, we gave them their money’s worth.  In our team we had one Welsh international and some 3 or 4 blues, the rest about county standard with only very few games during the war.

In 5 weeks time, I shall really be home for all time and I’m getting just thrilled at the thought and at seeing you again.  Many thanks again, little Maz, for your letters and the papers, longing to see you next month – early next month – my love to Pari and Brian, much love to you,

            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 6 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope Written Feb 5^th 1946 rec Feb 8^th 1946 (7)