Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Wednesday 10 Oct

11.00 pm

My own most precious darling,

Oh!  what a day it’s been – I’ve been hopping around like a cat on hot bricks from locations to moves, from train guards to map indents, from guard schedules to a very quick dash down the town to hear the massed pipes from our Lowland Div – it has certainly made the day pass in a flash – but in the middle of it all (I forgot to mention the time taken fixing up the ground, players and kit for our hockey tomorrow), in the midst of it came your most welcome letter written on Saturday evening and read with great interest – I was very pleased to hear of the arrival of the cake!  Not before it was due, was it?  Weren’t you slightly surprised on Sunday morning to find you had an hour more in bed, not less!!  You did very valiant work that morning and it recalled the many Saturdays when I used to reserve my shilling (I could ill afford a shilling but daren’t make it less!) for your box, such a great excuse to talk to you and show my benevolent character!  When I got back to the mess at 7.15 this evening I was persuaded, not difficult, to go and see a film – I felt rather in need of a spot of entertainment and we saw Humphrey Bogwash and the ‘hazel-eyed-sensation’ Lauren Bacall in ‘To have and to have not’ – quite good with the usual Bogwash setting – Middle East, broken French, broken promises, broken vases – the only fly in the ointment with our local cinema is that it is very badly ventilated and the sweat just pours off one.  What a sickening think about the electric fire in the sitting room, surely it must be repairable – Joslin’s might be able to help.  The problem of the piano is a very tricky one – if you’ll excuse my saying it I reckon Bill has been very cunning about it – he has shifted the trouble of selling or taking (and conscience) onto you without losing by it, as it is yours anyway!  I don’t honestly know what to suggest, but by and large reckon you should sell it with the proviso that the price fetched be put straight into your PO account with your gratuities and kept right there for as long as you can – I think he must have changed very suddenly about not liking the idea of selling it, he was very keen on selling it when we were round there in August.  Oh well, my sweet, you are to do exactly as you feel, as you say, it was your Mother’s and I should hate you to have any regrets about selling it – not a very helpful answer but you know what I mean.  Angel girl the hour for bed has struck and I must away and say bon soir et au revoir until tomorrow.  God bless and keep you, my dearest heart, ALL my love is yours and only yours for ALWAYS and you are never out of my thoughts

                        Peter

Thurs 0840 hrs

Darling, a frightful thought as I was coming up here in the bus – Gerald’s birthday on the 15^th.  Could you draw some money out of my account and buy him 4 oz of Players de Luxe from me – here is a slip to go on the wee parcel – many thanks, angel in colossal haste do I shall miss the post.

All my love

            Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 11 OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope 10 Oct.

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

Major J.F. Purcell D.S.O.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 3, No 20.

No. 83.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 11^th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. E. Whiting.

Subaltern of the Day:          2^nd Lieut. A.H. Brown.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. A.C. Harrison.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “E” COMPANY

No. 84. DUTIES – GUARD:

            As the Troops will be in Port tomorrow morning when the usual Guard dismounts at 9 a.m., no new Guard will be mounted but certain sentries will be posted until the Troops have all disembarked, and the Subaltern of the Day will be responsible that they carry out their duties.  (Kings Regulations – Para 1640)

Duty of Officer of the Guard will, therefore, be cancelled.

PICQUETS:

            No Picquets will be mounted on the Fo’castle Head and Monkey Island, so that the duties of the Officer in charge will be cancelled.

PRISONER OF WAR:

The Officer and Guard in charge of the Prisoner of War will remain on duty until such time as the Prisoner is handed over to the proper authorities.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

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.

10^th OCTOBER, 1915.

867 – ATTACHMENT –

            Lieutenant R. Purvis, 2^nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was attached to the 23^rd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish) for light duty from 20^th September, 1915.

668 – EXTRACT FROM SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS–

8:10:1915.

Soldiers Messing –

            Southern Command Order No. 742 of 1915 is cancelled, and the following substituted:-

            The General Officer Commanding, though sensible that progress has been made in the majority of new units in the improvement of the food of the men, observes that this important matter still requires the close personal attention of Commanding Officers and squadron, battery and company commanders.  General Officers Commanding Divisions will be good enough to impress again upon commanding officers the necessity for carrying out the suggestions printed on Army Book 48a:-

1. The A.B. 48a must be signed by an officer who will be held responsible for its accuracy.
2. The orderly officer will attend and check the weights and quantities of goods issued from the canteen.
3. The grocery slips which accompany A.B. 48a must be used.  The A.B. 48a should not be sent to the grocery bar.
4. Copies of the weekly diet sheet should be kept in the cookhouse, at the grocery bar, in the dining room (or one hut, if there is no central room) and at the headquarters of the unit.
5. The A.B. 48a must be an accurate record of the rations drawn issued and carried forward and of the goods daily purchased and consumed by the unit.  The book must be properly completed at the end of each monthly period (all receipts for refuse and dripping being included).  Entries in the book must be made in ink.
6. With Infantry formations the Battalion system is recommended.  With Artillery formations the best results are frequently obtained where a weekly diet sheet is made up for the whole Brigade, each battery subsequently drawing its own daily rations, groceries, etc., and recording its transactions in a separate A.B. 48a.  This enables the officer generally responsible for the messing to check waste by comparing the books of several units.
7. Attention is directed to King’s Regulations, para. 1175.

Divisional Commanders should require General Officers Commanding Brigades and their Staff Captains to inspect frequently the messing arrangements of their units, and ascertain that the above orders have been given effect to.

C.R., S.C. No. 2/18869/49.

Salisbury Training Centre Orders 919.

869– SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders 914 and 915 of 8^th inst.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

STAFF CAPTAIN, 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

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

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1^st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 1, No 29.

No. 127.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, 11^th OCTOBER 1915.

            Orderly Officer:                     Lieut. J.T. Bain

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War:        2^nd Lieut. A.C. Harrison

            COMPANY FOR DUTY:     “E” COMPANY                    

No. 128.  DISEMBARKATION:

DRESS:         On disembarkation tomorrow, the 11^th inst., Dress will be full marching order, but the second haversack (representing Sea Kit bags) will be put in Kit bags, and will not be worn.  Great Coats will be worn.  N.C.O.’s and men will wear equipment outside of Great Coats.

KIT BAGS:     Men will carry their Kit bags under their arm when marched ashore.  If it is found necessary to stack or pack Kit Bags, Company Commanders will use the greatest care to avoid Bags of different Platoons becoming intermingled.

FATIGUE       The Duty Company will provide 2 N.C.O.’s and 30 men to report to the PARTIES:            Quarter Master immediately after all Troops have disembarked, also 2

parties of 1 Officer and 25 other ranks, each as shore and Baggage Room Fatigues respectively.

MEN GOING No N.C.O. or man will go ashore until his Company disembarks.  This ASHORE:            applies to all, but special Duties and Fatigues.

DISCIPLINE:            Company Commanders will impress on their Commands before

they land in England that each man holds in his hands the honour of the Regiment and of the Contingent generally, and that by their bearing and demeanour in Public the whole Force will be judged.  All ranks will bear in mind that they are representing their Country and that their behaviour should, therefore, reflect the spirit of earnestness, which inspires them to devote themselves in the present grave National danger to the service of their King and Empire.  The greatest hospitality will in all probability be extended to them, and it will be each mans’ duty to exercise self control and to keep the strictest watch on himself.

H. Woodhead

Captain

 ADJUTANT. 1^st S. A. INFANTRY

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1^st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 2, No. 13.

No. 41.  PROMOTIONS.

            The Commanding Officer has approved of the following promotion:-

 “E” Coy. No. 2957 Cpl. (Temp. Sgt.) Kirwin John James, to be confirmed in the rank of Sergeant, as from date (11.9.15) incl of his Temporary Promotion.  (Reference Battalion Orders, Part 2, No. 11, Para 27, dated 29.9.1915.)

To be Colour Sergeant:

 “E” Coy. No. 2957 Sgt. Kirwin John James, as from the 4.10.15 (inclusive)          

No. 42.  APPOINTMENTS:

The Commanding Officer has approved of the following appointments:

As Coy. Q.M..Sgt. of “E” Company.

No. 2957 Colour Sgt. Kirwin John James, as from the 4.10.15 (inclusive)

The following Sergeants to be Platoon Sergeants:

“E” Coy. No. 2946 Sgt. Ryder A.W. – No. 17 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 293   Sgt. Jolly S. – No. 16 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 1574 Sgt. Jennings W.E.N. – No. 19 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 3642 Sgt. Hirst J.A. – No. 20 Platoon.

As Lance Corporals:

“E” Coy. No. 4301 Pte. Fouche Stephen Peter, as from 7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 4105 Pte. Hall Eden Lashley as from 7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 4075 Pte. Bunting Hugo                    do.  7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 1039 Pte Leppan Frederick Harry     do.  7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 1523 Pte. Thompson John Thomas  do. 9.10.15(incl)

No. 43. REVERSION:

“E” Coy. No. 1523 Cpl. Thompson J.T. is permitted by the Commanding Officer to resign his rank and revert to the rank of Private as from the 9.10.1915 (inclusive), and is appointed Lance Corporal from the same date.  (See Para 42 of the above Order).  See Order 42 above. H.W.

H. Woodhead

Captain

ADJUTANT. 1^st S. A. INFANTRY

(S.A. Overseas Ex. Force)

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

9.10.1915

PART 3, No 19.

No. 80.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 10^th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. G.J. Miller.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. E. Whiting.

Subaltern of the Day:          2^nd Lieut. W.N. Brown.

Next for Duty:                                   2^nd Lieut. A.H. Brown.

Officer of the Guard:            2^nd Lieut. C.W. Reid.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. R.R. Sharpe.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. A.W. Liefeldt.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Bliss.

Officer in charge of Picquet – Fo’castle Head: Lieut C.I. Bate.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. E.J. Burgess

Officer in charge of Picquet – Monkey Island: Lieut. W.D. Henry.

Next for Duty:                                   2^nd Lieut. W.S. Dent.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “D” COMPANY

No. 81.  FATIGUE:

            On the day of disembarkation, Monday, the Company Commander of the Duty Company “E”, will detail a fatigue party of 2 N.C.O.’s and 30 men to report to Capt. A.C. Wearner on board, after all troops have disembarked.

No. 82. KIT BAGS:

With reference to No. 79, Disembarkation Orders, of the 8^th instant, Kit Bags will be stacked tomorrow afternoon, under direction of the Quartermaster, Capt. A.C. Wearner.  Company Commanders will arrange for sentries to guard them until disembarkation has taken place.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

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.

8^th OCTOBER, 1915.

861 – DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday 10^th instant – 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 lines of No. 15 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 named ground at 9-45 a.m.

862 – DUTIES –

            The Battalion on duty for week ending October 16^th, 1915:-

22^nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

****

next for duty:-

23^rd (S) Bn. Northd. 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.

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1^st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

8.10.1915

PART 1, No 28.

No. 125.  DISEMBARKATION NOMINAL ROLL.

            Company Commanders will return to Orderly Room by noon Sunday, the 10^th inst., alphabetical Nominal Rolls by ranks in triplicate, on foolscap paper, showing all Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of their Companies (or attached) on board, stating in each case number, rank, name and initials.          

No. 126.  SIGNALLERS:

            “E” Coy. No. 4989 Pte. W.G.C. Ridar, while undergoing instruction in signalling, will be struck off all duties interfering with the above instruction.

H. Woodhead

Captain

**** ADJUTANT. 1^st S. A. INFANTRY

(S.A. Overseas Ex. Force)

NOTICE.

            VICTORIA LEAGUE CLUB.

The attention of all ranks is called to notices posted up in various prominent places on board, concerning the Victoria League Club, inviting men of the Oversea Forces to use the Club.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 7 October 45

My dearest Maz

 Many thanks for your most welcome letter written on Tuesday and for yet another consignment of ‘illustrateds’ – I was, as always, most interested to hear all your news and to hear some of the details of Pari’s release which seems to have gone very smoothly.  I hope Brian’s cold didn’t materialise!  Nothing very thrilling from this end since my letter to you at the beginning of the week – no social or entertainment activities and one game of hockey only which we played yesterday – it was a League match against an Army Troops Coy RE who we beat 7-1, the game was not so one sided as it sounds and there was some good clean hitting and open play – my eye was rather well in and I put 4 into the net.  Quite a few of my friends here said goodbye during the week, leaving to be demobbed with groups 17, 18 and 19.  Amongst them Tim Roberts who place as GSO 1 Ops will not be filled – we have also lost two of our original mess members, they will all be civilians by the time this reaches you.

The first 5 days of this coming week are likely to be very busy ones for me – both my G3s are away, one left yesterday on 14 days compassionate leave and the other is on a short leave over here.  When Harrison comes back from his short leave I am due to change my job and will become G2 Training and Air – the latter for which I will have to receive some special training, will mean my being attached to a RAF Group out here for one week and then on 29^th October I am due to go on a two week’s course in Air Support at the Rhine Army School some 50 miles East of here.  It seems rather absurd to get down to something new after 6 years but it may have its interesting side and anyway won’t be for very long.

I am very undecided what to do today, later on this morning I shall walk up to the office and probably after tea shall go along and watch the final of another tournament they are having today – starting at 11 ocl it takes too long and I decided against playing in it.  Between lunch and tea I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if I don’t get a spot of shut-eye!

Table tennis had got a big hold in G branch now and great keenness is shown by all.  In my absence the ladder was started and they drew for preliminary positions – I was no 11 but by dint of a few games played am now no 1 and have constant challenges to ward off!  We have a match on Tuesday evening against another branch which should be great fun, we have some quite useful players and our Chief Clerk is a member of the Corps HQ team.  I am now half way to the next leave period and am looking forward to it –yessir.  I must now slip along and get myself organised for the office – Much love to you and to Pari and Brian here’s to the next 2 months going past very quickly.

            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 8 OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.    

On front of envelope Written Oct 7^th 1945 rec Oct 10^th 1945 (9)

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

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

7.10.1915

PART 3, No 17.

No. 74.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 8^th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Lieut. J.T. Bain.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. T. Ormiston.

Subaltern of the Day:          2^nd Lieut. L.I. Isaacs.

Next for Duty:                                   2^nd Lieut. A.W. Craig.

Officer of the Guard:            Lieut. Pirrie.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. K. Keith.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. Phillips.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Hertzyl.

Officer in charge of Picquet – Fo’castle Head: Lieut C.B. Parsons.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. S.W.E. Style

Officer in charge of Picquet – Monkey Island: Lieut. E.A. Davies.

Next for Duty:                                   2^nd Lieut. A.C. Harrison.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “B” COMPANY

No. 75.  OFFICERS’ LECTURE.

            There will be a lecture to Officers by Capt. E. Whiting at 12 noon tomorrow.

This will be held on the Navigating Deck.

All Officers to attend.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.