Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 10^th February

My dearest Maz

Since last Tuesday very little of note has happened here but I was delighted to get your letter of congratulations on my award – many thanks, Maz dear.  I’m sorry you lost a bet to Pari and I know that you never felt it would be automatic – there were only 3 MBEs and 1 OBE for the whole HQ.  I think the chances of any investiture in the near future are very remote, if at all, as there are many chaps who have had awards for a long time now without any summons to the Palace.  It will probably come plus a letter with George’s rubber stamp signature on it!  Many thanks, too, for the papers which I have received this week – they really are an absolute boon.  Since my return on Monday it just hasn’t stopped raining and there are fantastic flood scenes everywhere, I was out all day on Thursday and things were pretty bad then, but many roads throughout the Corps area are flooded and impassable now.  It has been a little better today, and this morning I walked up to the office where I had about an hour’s work to do and I went for another short walk this afternoon to look at our hockey ground which was quite unfit yesterday and our game had to be cancelled.  When I got in at 3 I got into bed and slept very heavily until 4.30!  I’m not awfully keen on afternoon sleep as I always feel so shocking when I wake up – I did today !  I haven’t been any too fit this week, for one thing the reaction to those 3 hard matches set in, then I almost but thankful to say not quite, had flu and to cap it all the trouble I had in Belgium last year returned, but has now completely gone I’m pleased to say.  After being on duty on Wednesday night and latish from my day visiting units on Thursday.  I saw films on both Friday and last night.  On Friday it was a German film called ‘Munchausen’, not bad but the sort of film which you must understand the dialogue to enjoy – I didn’t.  last night I saw Sonia Henie in ‘It’s a Pleasure’ – very light, beautiful skating and well worth seeing.  I’m still extremely busy and my job seems to grow each day rather than diminish but there’s not much longer to do now – in 4 weeks time, DV, I shall be on my way home with a single ticket! Rousing cheers.

I had very nice letters from Aunt Vi and Bill, both seemed delighted to hear of my MBE and both have been sent suitably worded replies.  My evenings next week are very full up, table tennis matches on Monday and Thursday, a farewell party on Wednesday and another on Friday!  Hockey, weather permitting, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday!  One thing it fairly makes the time fly.  We shall soon be half way through February – I’m so terribly looking forward to seeing you again and to getting back to the flat and everything that means.  Eileen tells me she is having Epsom baths and all sorts of things to get her weight down – you women!  Well, little Maz, I must away to have a much needed bath – here’s to March, to Spring and demob.  My love to Pari and Elli, 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 12 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope Written Feb 10^th 1946 rec Feb 14^th 1946 (8)