D -18

Head of Chad and “WOT! IN THE TEENS?

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 24^th February

6.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

            Much to my surprise there was a mail both yesterday and today – surprised because the weather just couldn’t have been much worse – and in yesterday’s post your Tuesday letter and PC written in Harrods arrived, today your Thursday letter came.  You must surely be second to none in the letter writing line and I was delighted to hear all your news.  Your London trip may have been an abortive sortie from the shopping point of view but the day in Town will have done you good – would that I could have been with you.  Yes, as you so rightly say I could suggest at least one place where you could put the marmalade, but it would not be very practicable, so will refrain.  I have however put me thinkin’ bonnet on and there appear to be three places (a) sitting room (b) spare room (c) cupboard under Thorburn’s stairs.

The latter might be possible but only if you could erect some sort of shelf in either of the 3 following places.  Illustration.  Do you get the general idea or am I being rather as ass!  Anyway its food for thought.  I loved your excellent account of the day in London, only you can write an account of a day in that way – I was able to imagine you the whole time.  I’m glad the taxi driver only got his fare!  I had hoped to hear good news of a titfer and hope you may be successful yet – I was conjuring up visions like this: – illustration small, plain, grey felt.  I may still be being an ass, but it’s more food for thought!

            Darling, I wonder how old man Geernaer is coping with my suits – any news from him?  Unless he gets a slight shift on I’m only going to have me de-mob outfit to wear for quite some time, and it will soon develop sag-arse, shiny seat and baggy knees!  I’ve done very little since lunch-time yesterday – but feel that the rest and relaxation has done me good – I had planned a bit of a walk yesterday pm but it was sleeting hard all the afternoon, and, I kept well inside – I did a real spring clean of my room, have packed up the odd parcel, destroyed masses of old junk which I had accumulated during the past two years, junk which has now gone for a 100% Burton.  Nothing in that line will find its way to The Crescent that I promise you, and I’m being absolutely ruthless about it all.  Literally the only thing, apart from cleaning up, and 20 winks I had this pm, I’ve done since lunch-time yesterday have been a sojourn to the office this morning and a bath just before I started writing this letter.  In a blinding snow-storm this morning I walked up to the office where I got myself organised for the inevitable Monday morning (only one more in this army after tomorrow!) and I walked back to the Mess just before lunch – there must be at least 6 – 7 ins of snow and I came back in a most undignified manner.  Dick and Ted are down at the skiing centre at Winterberg, so things are pretty quiet here.  This afternoon I more or less completed my sorting out of kit, did up another couple of parcels (one of pants, vests etc and the other law books).  I heard this morning that this bloody awful weather has caused a day’s postponement in release sailings, but I’m told it only affects the current release group (Gp 24), so all is well for the 11^th – just 18 more days, my angel, and my whole being now revolves round our D day, my excitement and impatience know no bounds, and my thoughts and concentration are entirely ‘one-tracked’ – the track being YOU, my darling, and the heavenly thought of the resumption, this time never-ending of our partnership together – exciting, exhilarating thought.  Dearest girl, I must away to dinner which will be followed by a very early night. 

God bless you, my sweet girl, and keep you always, and let these 18 days go very quickly.  I love you, dear heart, more than ever and live just for you.  ALL my love is yours 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 26 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope 24 Feb.