D -21

Chad head

WOT! ONLY 3 more weeks?

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Thursday 21^st February

8.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

This is my first ‘peaceful’ evening for some days, and I was quite determined to keep it so – someone phoned me this afternoon and asked whether I would like a game of poker this evening, but I said I was otherwise engaged – I am, and I like it!  It seems hardly possible that 3 weeks today will, DV, see the dawn of our long awaited D day – after so much waiting and hoping.  I am still wondering whether I really am wise to take the exam in November, and for the sake of four months whether to settle in at the office, wouldn’t be sounder policy, it’s all a frightful muddle in my own mind which is still clogged with the hundred and one petty daily problems of this army life.  It will all sort itself out in the end I know, but just now it seems right muddly, lass.  If we leave here on the 11^th March I hae me doots as to being demobbed on the 14^th and think the 15^th is more likely, and just how between then and the 2^nd April we are going to work in a fortnight in Scotland and get reasonably organised for the course.  I can’t quite see – I have longed for our holiday, right away and quite alone, more than you could ever guess, and no matter what happens we will get right away somewhere, that is the surest thing that ever happens, but oh! How I wish I could see how we can make it a fortnight without a frightful rush.

It’s been another ‘mad’ day today, sun, wind, snow all chasing one another round the clock, and when I woke this morning it was to find a couple of inches of snow on the ground.  I’ve been, as usual, pretty busy all day, and feel thankful to have this wizard evening to myself.  There is precious little news from this end though Leonard’s successor, who arrived yesterday evening, seems a good type, but it’s too early as yet to say how he will cope with the job.  Dearest, I do so hope you are taking care of yourself and that you are taking things easily still, you mustn’t have black ‘Jacksons’ when we meet, and it will be my constant and pleasant task to see that they never return, you are so terribly precious to me, and I love you, angel, so awfully much – please, darling, if by any mischance we can’t get away for a fortnight, please realise that I shall be just as disappointed as you, and if we decide that Scotland is too far I have another alternative for you to comment on – in August there is a break from the 1^st to the 28^th, why not lets book up now for 3 weeks at the Royal (Gibson’s recommend a complete rest from books etc.) and why not a week, a 100% Aunt Kate week before the course starts, at that place I’ll not forget, the University Arms, I feel almost certain that Brian would lend us his car for a week, and I’ll have my ‘demob leave’ petrol, and we could have some wizard outings (we’ll not go near Uppingham) – a car for a week away is far better than no car for 10 or 14 days away – I would write straight off (a) to the U.A. and (b) to book up at Dunkeld in August.  What do you say, darling?  I have planned a really early night tonight and must write a short letter to Brian before I have a pre-bed bath.  God bless you, my adorable girl, and keep you – my only wish is that whenever we go, however long for, you are happy, because I shall be too – with you, near you.  I’m just a different person and it is only then that I live.  My love, angel, is yours, just all of it,

            for ever and always

                        Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 22 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope 21 Feb.