I am quite well.

Letter follows at first opportunity.

A.W. Hanson L/Sergt. 

25/10/15

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 138.  25 OC 15.

Card  addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  Angleterre.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

18^th OCTOBER, 1915.

900 – DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL –

The detail of Officers as mentioned below will assemble at the Orderly Room of the 21^st (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish).

No. 12, Sandhill Camp, Longbridge Deverill on the 19^th inst., at 10 a.m., for the purpose of trying by District Court-Martial the accused persons named in the margin (and such other person or persons as may be brought before them)

PRESIDENT

Major J.F. MACKAY, V.C. 21^st (S.) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish.)

MEMBERS

A Captain, 20^th (S.) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish.)

A Captain, 23^rd (S.) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish.)

The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.

The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, Sandhill Camp, Longbridge Deverill.

The Officers Commanding 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd (S) Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Tyneside Scottish) will each detail three Officers to attend for instructional purposes.

In the margin.  No. 21/245 Pte. James Hood 21^st (S.) Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish); No 22/1510 Pte. Thomas Kennedy 22^nd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish); No 23/108 Pte. Matthew Young 23^rd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

On back of sheet O.C., C Coy.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

17^th OCTOBER, 1915.

897 – RETREAT –

            Retreat will be at 5-30 p.m. until further orders.

898– BARRACK STORE FATIGUES –

            The Battalion on duty will furnish a party of 1 N.C.O. and 5 men for fatigue duty in the Barrack Store, Sandhill Camp, at 9 a.m. daily.

899– SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders Nos. 955, 957, 958 and 961 of 15^th October, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

Luton

17/10/14

Rev^d Sir,

            Just a line to let you know I am well & getting pretty well worked.

            We have heard that we shall soon sail from England on the 30^th of this month, so our time here will be very short now.

            I hope yourself & family are quite well close with kind regards to all

            Yrs obediently

(Pte) A.W. Hanson

Card addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked LUTON 17 OC 14.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

16^th OCTOBER, 1915.

892 – DIVINE SERVICE –

            With reference to Brigade Order No. 886 of October 15^th, 1915, Church of England Troops will parade at 10 a.m. on “G” Range and not as therein stated.

Markers to report at “G” Range at 9-45 a.m.

893 – R.A.M.C. ORDERLY OFFICERS –

            The following is the detail of R.A.M.C. Officers for week ending October 23^rd, 1915:-

SUNDAY OCT. 17^th.                        Lt. F.J. HENRY        CAMP No. 14.

MONDAY OCT. 18^h.                        Lt. R.B. MACFIE           “     No 11

TUESDAY OCT. 19^th                       Lt. F.J. HENRY             “     No 14

WEDNESDAY OCT. 20^th                Lt. R.B. MACFIE           “     No 11

THURSDAY OCT. 21^st                   Lt. J. MUIRHEAD          “     No 15

FRIDAY OCT 22^nd                           Lt. R.B. MACFIE           “     No 11

SATURDAY OCT 23^rd                    Lt. J. MUIRHEAD          “     No 15

These Officers will be on duty from Reveille on the day mentioned till Reveille on the following day.

894– LETTER FROM LORD MAYOR OF NEWCASTLE –

            The Brigade Commander has received a letter from the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-on-Tyne, expressing his regret, owing to public engagements, at being unable to visit the Brigade prior to its proceeding overseas.

The following is an extract from his letter, which should be communicated to all ranks:-

“It is a matter of great regret that my public engagements here do not permit of my joining the Party; and, as the gatherings appear to be of a more or less valedictory character, I feel that I should write you by way of expressing my admiration for the splendid troops under your command.  I feel sure that the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men alike will prove themselves in every way equal to their brave comrades who are upholding the Country’s honour in various parts of the present widespread battle-fields.

The career of the Tyneside Scottish Brigade will be followed with the closest interest by the Citizens of Newcastle and district, who are proud of the men who have so readily rallied to the colours in their Country’s hour of need”.

895 – SPECIAL FURLOUGH –

            Officers Commanding Battalions will arrange for all men who have not had their special 4 days furlough prior to embarkation to take this leave as follows:-

The trains will leave Warminster on Friday evening the 22^nd inst., and will arrive in Newcastle on Saturday morning.  The 4 actual days leave will commence at 12 noon on Saturday the 23^rd inst., and will expire at 12 noon on Wednesday the 27^th inst.

Trains will leave Newcastle during the afternoon of Wednesday.

The Brigade Commander trusts that all Non-Commissioned Officers and men will fully understand that any overstaying of passes will bring discredit on their own Battalions and reflect generally on the discipline of the Brigade which he is sure all ranks are anxious to avoid.  A Time-Table will be published later.

896 – WAR OFFICE LETTER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Commanding Officers is called to War Office Letter A.C.D./Contracts/6644 (Q.M.G.7) dated 7^th October 1915.  The Brigade Commander trusts that the greatest care will in future be taken in carrying out the instructions referred to.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

15^th OCTOBER, 1915.

884 – CHAPLAIN – CHURCH OF ENGLAND – APPOINTMENT TO –

            The Revd. E.W. Burnell, C.F. has been appointed Church of England Chaplain to this Brigade from October 14^th, 1915.  Authority War Office letter Clergy General No. 4223, dated 11^th October, 1915.

He will be attached for rations and quarters to 20^th (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

885 – STRENGTH –

            The Revd. Pierce Egan, C.F. having proceeded to Seaford is consequently struck off the strength of the Brigade from 13^th October, 1915.

Authority, War Office letter Clergy/General No. 4223 dated October 11^th 1915.

886– DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday 17^th inst – as follows:-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND   10 a.m. on the Parade Ground of the 20^th (S) Bn.

Northd. Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

ROMAN CATHOLICS         10-15 a.m. in the Church Hut near No. 10 Camp.

PRESBYTERIANS              9 a.m. in Y.M.C.A. Hut between Nos. 14 and 15

Camps.

Markers for Church of England Troops to report to Brigade Major on the above ground at 9-45 a.m.

887 – DUTIES –

            The Battalion on duty for week ending October 23^rd, 1915:-

23^rd (S.) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

next for duty –

20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

888 – OUT OF BOUNDS –

            The Sewage Outfall Works situated in the field West of No. 11, Camp Sandhill is placed out of bounds.

889 – CLOTHING FOR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE IN FRANCE –

            With reference to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 954 of the 14^th inst., Officers Commanding Units will indent at once for any articles required to complete.

890 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 952, dated 14^th October, 1915.

891 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Orders No. 359 and 360 of the 14^th inst.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

NOTICE.

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING

            The Southern Counties Cross Country Association is organizing a Cross Country Inter-Team Race for the 34^th Division at Sutton Veny on 30^th October 1915.

The race will be conducted as a Time Trial, Teams of 20 will compete being despatched at stated intervals, and the tenth man only of each team will be timed.  His time being taken as that of the team.  Units intending to compete should therefore instruct their teams to practice PACKING.

Teams may be drawn from Units as follows:-

INFANTRY COMPANIES, R.E., Field or Signalling Companies.

ARTILLERY BRIGADES or Div. Ammunition Column.

A.S.C. HEADQUARTERS COMPANY (1) “Other” Companies combined (1).

DIVISIONAL CYCLISTS (1 Team).

This is not intended to prevent teams from smaller Units i.e. Batteries etc., being entered if desired.

A Committee of Officers will be formed to select the course for the race (to be between 4 and 5 miles in extent) and assist in making the race a success.  Further particulars can be obtained from Major Elwy Jones 25^th Bn. Northd. Fusiliers, 103^rd Brigade.  The prizes will be 10 S.C.C.C.A. Gold Centre Medals to winning team, 10 Silver Medals to second, 10 Bronze to third.  Entry Fee 10/- per team.

Entries should be sent in by October 20^th to the Hon. Sec. S.C.C.C.A. C. OTWAY 131 Denmark Hill London S.E.

(Names of team need not be declared)

On back of last sheet C. O.C.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 14^th October

My dearest Maz

Two most welcome letters from you this week dated 4^th and 8^th October, for both of which, and the cutting about our new commander, many thanks.  I have only seen the latter in the distance and his reputation when he came here was not very good, a real fire-eater, but I’m told he is not, as yet, living up to it!  No, I lay no claim to the taking of the Zoute snapshots – I got them in a packet of 8 ‘real snapshots’ for 1/-!  They were very well taken, weren’t they?  I hope the Williams will not be disappointed when they get back to Menton, it seems almost too good to be true that their villa should be unscathed, if it really was occupied I should have said it was a million to one against its being untouched – I shall be interested to hear how they find it.

If your weather is anything like it is here I’m afraid last Sunday will have been your last at the Naze this year – it has turned very cold and the autumn seems to be giving way to winter.  I hope you and Eileen enjoyed Henry V, it is very long but I enjoyed it no-end and thought it was well cast and extremely well acted.  My new job I’m pleased to say involves no change of address at all, I merely move into a room two away from my present one and my work is different, for ops, moves and locations I do training and air – tomorrow I go off to 2 Gp RAF for a week and on 11^th November I go to our training centre for a fortnights course – it should be quite interesting and the change won’t be unwelcome.  I’m coming back for the afternoon on Thursday to collect mail and to play in rather a needle hockey match.

On Thursday I sent off a wee parcel to you, the contents coming to you with my love and, the hope that they arrive safely and undamaged.  Unfortunately they wouldn’t fit into the famous cake tin which will be sent off in the near future.

As expected the first four days of the week were far from pleasant and I had more to do than one person could reasonably cope with and I had to put in a little overtime though I was able to get out for a couple of hours on Thursday and yesterday afternoons.  On Thursday we had a league hockey match against our Defence Company and after a very keen tussle we beat them 4-2.  As you will have seen in my letter to Pari I got hit over the right eye rather early on but apart from a graze and a nasty bruise I have suffered no ill effects from it, it was a real full blooded hit so it might have been a lot worse.  I popped two into the net so I don’t think it affected my play very much.  Yesterday afternoon I played what may be my last game of tennis this year with a full Colonel a Brigadier and Nigel Raban – we had an excellent form and youth won the day though our opponents played some amazing shots – they gave us a very good tea in their mess afterward, so it was a good afternoon.  I suppose John Leaning’s age group must be fairly low, he is very lucky to get put onto the permanent leave pending release list – I can see that I, the one person who ought to be out fairly soon, shall be last out by a long way and shall be an aged grey haired man before they finally dispense with my services rendered since Jan ’37.  I’m prepared to bet that John will have passed his final before I’m even out of the Army!

On the entertainment side this week I have seen two films and played in one Table Tennis match against one of our branches.  The films were ‘The Fifth Chair’, not awfully good and ‘To have or to have not’ which I rather enjoyed – Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were in it.  The table tennis match was too one sided to be interesting and we didn’t lose a game, but the tea and buns which followed and the general get-together with another branch were all good fun.  Well, little Maz, I guess this just about exhausts my news and I must away up to the office just to see if there is anything happening.  This afternoon we have a hockey match officers v Sergeants followed by beer in the Sergeants Mess to be paid for by the losers.  I hope you have had a good week, from all accounts Eileen has made further excellent progress in the flat which I long so much to see – We are nearly half way through the month and it is only 10 weeks to Xmas.  I’m so longing for my next leave and to see you all again.  My love to Pari and Elli, much love to you.  I hope you haven’t forgotten vines!

            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 15OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.   

On front of envelope Written Oct 14^th 1945 rec Oct 17^th 1945 (10)

On back of envelope Major P.C. Benham, G Branch, HQ 1 Corps District, BAOR.