D -15

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Wednesday 27^th  February

10.45 pm.

My own most precious darling,

Another letter from you today – your Saturday letter which certainly hasn’t taken long to get here, for which, darling, many thanks.  I’ve not seen Francois Rosay but remember reading in a Picture Post, I think it was, about her, she must be a very clever actress despite her looks.  I did a spot of film going myself this evening and went to see Vic Oliver and Margaret Lockwood in ‘I’ll be your sweetheart’ – a very average English musical comedy which nearly all reports said was bum, with a capital B, and I went expecting the worst, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was very light, very stupid but there were some good old songs in it, and I felt that my 2 marks were far from wasted – it was a rather longer show than usual and I’ve not been back very long.  I had rather hoped to go down to Winterberg this evening and spend most of tomorrow there, but I’ve far too much work on and had to call it off.  The very wet snow which fell during the night put paid to our hockey and then we shall be able to play on Friday afternoon in lieu, but though there’s a thaw on the snow seems to be hanging around indeterminately (good word!).  The other one of my arrangements which has fallen through is my evening tomorrow with John Stephens, he sent a message through that he wasn’t able to make it and will be ringing me tomorrow.  The letters which he sent to Lois have an odd story attached to them.  Nora King’s letter to her cousins were duly taken up to Hamburg by a chap named Henry Podmore, but he apparently only spent one day in Hamburg itself and when he got back here some 3 weeks later he brought them back saying he hadn’t time to deliver.  Knowing that John was going up there I gave them to him to take, and in fact his second in command took them and on his way back called in for an answer, which he brought back gave to John, who in his turn sent them to Lois for Nora!  A bit complicated, but it puts you in the picture, I think!  Three parcels have gone off to you today – one containing my golf shoes, one some pants and vests, and one containing books and notebooks.  Apparently they only registered the golf shoe one, the books were too heavy and they sent them off unregistered, so I shall be rather relieved to hear that they have arrived safely.  The books are NOT required until 1^st April!  The sands of time are running out very fast now, and in my only one day over two weeks DV I shall be home.  I’m getting a bit anxious about my relief who hasn’t put in an appearance yet and is apparently on leave, though no-one knows when he went.  However he was told to be here on the 1^st March so now doubt he’ll fetch up in time – poor sucker!

Well, my little wizard, I must be leavin’ ye until the morrow and sayin’ goodnight to ye – I’ll be your sweetheart, darling, for always, and love you with  ALL my being.  God bless and take care of you, angel, ALL my love to you, to you only, now 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 28 FE 46.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope 1 Mar.