Author Archives: The Bay Museum

Letter from Peter C. Benham to his mother.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 2nd December 45

My dearest Maz

December at last and in a fortnight’s time all being well I shall be ‘on my way’ – it’s a wonderful thought.  I reckon there will be two days cancellations between now and then and I expect I shall leave here on Monday morning and arrive home on Tuesday evening (18th), but time will tell.

I was delighted to get your two letters this week, written on the 23rd and 27th and to hear all your news, also a wizard bundle of papers arrived, Christmas numbers of the Men Only and Lilliput, Illustrated and Picture Post – you have no idea how much your sending these papers is appreciated – there aren’t many periodicals in the mess and after I’ve thoroughly digested their contents I always put them ‘out’ for general consumption much to everyone’s enjoyment.  I do so hope John Leaning gets back for Christmas, we shall have a lot to talk about, it’s rotten luck his being kept in with nothing at all to do – yes, I do think Robin put up rather a bad show in not looking everyone up, from what Eileen said about him he didn’t seem to be quite his usual cheery self and he described his War effort as ‘six years paid holiday’ not exactly the words I should use!!  I’ve had an appalling week and am absolutely thankful it is over and tomorrow will see the return of my G3 which will be rather a relief.  Last Sunday evening I saw a really excellent film called ‘The Song of Bernadette’ beautifully filmed and acted, and thoroughly good entertainment – the other film I saw during the week was one of the ‘- victory’ series, Burma Victory.  It was shewn in the little private cinema ‘Studio One’ and I’ve heard nothing but praise for it – I enjoyed it a lot – all the shots were genuine and the chaps who edit and take the actual films, knew their stuff from A – Z.  I thought it very much better than Desert Victory and came away feeling very thankful that I never had the misfortune of serving in the Far East!  The two big demonstrations of Air Support which I had to put on during the week met with fair success, the better, fortunately, was the one on Friday pm put on for Corps and Div Commanders.  It was a good day for it and the aircraft were able to do their stuff.  Not so on Wednesday which was foggy and wet and no aircraft could fly.  This meant that the demonstration was a bit of a flop as no one can whip up much enthusiasm if he has to ‘imagine’ aircraft the whole time.  A lot of time during the early days of the week was spent laying the thing on, which meant that I had to bring a lot of the routine office work back to the mess to do after dinner, now, as I say, I have a comparatively clear view of my objective – leave!  This afternoon we have a hockey match v 56 Bde team which promises to be a good game and I will leave this letter open and let you know the result afterwards.  I was on night duty last night and later on this morning must go up to the Barracks where I am meeting the visitors team.  I was very interested to hear about the unpacking of the wedding presents and am looking forward to having a real good look at them, apart from the very cursory look round when they were on show in the Parker;’s house I’ve never seen ‘em.  If I don’t fly now I shall miss my bus up to the Barracks, so au revoir for now.

6 pm.  The Visitors have just gone, their tails very slightly between their legs as we beat them 13-0!!  It really wasn’t as one-sided as all that be everyone on our side was in good form and all the luck went our way – my hand in the victory was 9 goals, a record for me I think!  There is a real spate of games next week – on Thursday a league game on Saturday and Sunday two friendly matches so I ought to be really fit by the time I get back.  Later on this evening I am going to our Deputy Assistant Military Secretary’s farewell party, he is being demobbed next week.  Christmas is now only three weeks off, it hardly seems possible somehow, does it?  The thought of the parties with you all, the tuck the plum puds you were telling about, gives me a terrific kick, I wonder when Uncle Major’s party will be?  Eileen tells me that Bill is giving (?) her a chick and with the pud you have very kindly given her I expect we shall have a little Christmas lunch on Boxing day, I think some exercise will be indicated that afternoon with our stums filled with Christmas fare!  I just can’t tell you how much I’m longing to see you again and for the celebrations we’ll be having, constant celebrations, VJ Day about 3 wedding anniversaries, several Xmas’ etc all to be made up for, I shall have to have some elastic set into my trousers!  Well, little Maz, I must away and ‘dress’ for the party.   Much love to you and to Pari and Elli.  Roll on the next fortnight.

            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 3DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.      

On front of envelope Written Dec 2nd 1945 rec Dec 5th 1945 (18)

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

Diary of 2/4th Battalion The Border Regiment

1915.

2nd December 1915. “B” and “D” Companies, under Major G.H. Heelis, arrived at Allahabad and relieved the 1/5th Hampshire Regiment, 2 officers and 104 other ranks forming the Infantry Detachment at Fort Allahabad.

At Poona, in spite of a number of men unavailable for parade owing to guard duties, very substantial progress had been made in the training of the Battalion.  Officers and N.C.O.’s had attended schools on instruction.  Platoon, company, and battalion drill had been well learned.  Preliminary musketry had been finished.  Table A had been fired, and a considerable part of the Battalion had completed Table B.  Scouts and signallers were trained.  Simple company schemes had been carried out, and the Battalion had learned how to look after itself in India.

Diary of 2/4th Battalion The Border Regiment

1915

12th November 1915. “B” and “D” Companies, under the command of Major G.H. Heelis, who was posted to this Battalion from the 1/4th The Border Regiment, proceeded to Kirkee as the British Infantry Detachment, in relief of the 2/4th Wiltshire Regiment.

29th November 1915.  Headquarters and “A” “C” Companies left Poona for Kamptee, Central Provinces.

30th November 1915.  “B” and “D” Companies, under Major G.H. Heelis, left Kirkee for Allahabad.

MEMORANDUM.

Stamp of TF Record Office London                                  From

From                                                                                       J E Beesley

Officer i/c I.F. Records London

To J.E. Beesley Esq.

4 London Wall Bldgs. E.C.

30th Nov 1915                                                                       Dec 3rd 1915

I wish to remind you that you

have not yet acknowledged the

receipt of a discharge Certificate re

No 2600 Pte. R.M. Beesley

28th London Regt, forwarded to

you on his behalf on the 19th inst.

Will you please do so?

N.M.P. Hay Capt. for C.O.

Territorial Force Records

LONDON.

With OHMS Envelope addressed to J.E. Beesley, Esq., Far Cross Bank, Kendal, Westmoreland.  Postmarked London 19 NO 15.

Typed letter to Rev Walters from A W Hanson

No 2346 L/Cpl A.W. Hanson

Orderly Room.

1/5th Bn Leicester Regt

Sawbridgeworth.

Revd T.W. Walters.

Revd Sir,

            Just a few lines before we leave England, because it may be a long time before I get a chance out at the Front to write.

We expect to move away on or about Tuesday next, and I have been detailed to go out with the Troops and act as Orderly Room clerk the other two clerks are staying behind here for some time and will eventually go to the Headquarter Office at the Base, so that I shall be on my own in the office near the Firing Line.

I expect it will mean a lot of work for me to do, but still when I have got in to the run of things out there it will come quite easy.

Will you please let Miss Roulston have my copy of the Mens Service report, and she will take it home for me.

I trust that you and Mrs Walters will keep in the best of health, and I hope it may not be long before the War is over and we shall once more all meet again.

If it is not asking too much I should like Hymn No 595. Holy Father, in Thy mercy, sung in Church for me the next two Sunday evenings.

With very kind regards to Mrs Walters & yourself.

I remain,

            Yrs obediently

Albert Will

There is no envelope with this letter.

Tyneside Scottish Brigade Orders.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A.P.A. ELPHINSTONE,

COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP. LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

29th NOVEMBER, 1915.

1041 – TEMPORARY COMMAND OF BRIGADE –

            Brigadier-General T.P.B. Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., having proceeded on leave – the temporary Command of the Brigade devolves on Lieutenant-Colonel A.P.A. Elphinstone, 3rd Bn. Tyneside Scottish (22nd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers).

1042 – DIVISIONAL EXERCISE –

            At the Divisional Exercise 30:11:1915, at the 10 minute halts, all men are to fall out and remove their equipment, and the loads on pack mules are to be taken off.

1043 – EXTRACTS FROM SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS–

27:11:1915.

“London Gazette” –

The following extracts from the Third Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 23rd of November, 1915, is published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers; –

23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish). – Major William Lyle (Special Reserve, The Lancashire Fusiliers) to command a Battalion, and to be temporary Lieutenant-Colonel vice J.C. Campbell vacated, dated 24th November, 1915.

Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 1188.

1044 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders 1192 and 1193 dated 27th November, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

Brigade-Major, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

Letter from Peter C. Benham to his mother.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 25th November

My dearest Maz

I have two most welcome letters to thank you for this week, to say nothing of the Argosy and other papers which I was delighted with.  Your letters dated 16 and 20 Nov.  yes, in the last ECS I received I looked hard for something other than just the ‘proceedings’ report on the Aldermans’ rejection but in vain, I’m afraid Hervey must have been bitten by the Socialist bug, a very great pity isn’t it?  I laughed like anything at the cutting Eileen sent me about how a wife should look after a husband who is having to swat for an exam – very appropriate!  I have had a really frightful week and every night have had to put in a spot of over-time – I think this coming week will be worse and I shall be very thankful when Monday 3 Dec arrives and with it my G3 back from leave – one rather brighter aspect was the arrival back off leave of Martin Bunch yesterday which means I don’t have to go direct to the Chief of Staff with my queries, a procedure which I don’t mind but a lot of time is wasted trying to get in to see him.  He very kindly took me over in his car on Tuesday afternoon to Wuppertal (about an hour’s run from here) to see BAOR play the Army in England at Rugger, a friend of mine, Maurice Daly, with whom I do a lot of business was playing and he scored both our tries, BAOR lost16-10.  He is an Irish inter-national.  Yesterday morning feeling sick of the sight of the office I played truant and went over to Solingen in search of scissors – I trumped up a very good excuse to be in the area but as bad luck would have it I had a minor breakdown on the way and didn’t get to Solingen until 11.30, but arrived at the Chamber of Commerce just before closing time.  As still worse luck would have it the days quota of scissors had been sold, but I shall do my very best to go there again, certainly before I get back on leave and by hook or by crook the scissors will be got.  I haven’t seen any films this week and my only two evenings entertainment have consisted of ‘farewell’ parties at the Officers’ Club, one on Tuesday night for Nigel Raban who has ‘wangled’ his release under class C (hardship), the other on Thursday night to say farewell to two of our Dutch Liaison Officers, both of whom have been in our Mass for a long time – the food on both occasions was almost identical – champagne and oysters plus lemon, soup, mushroom vol au vent, steak etc, fruit salad and coffee!  Not too bad.  Apart from these four ‘incidents’ during the week it’s been work, work and still more work and I’ve even had to bring things back to the Mess to do – still it’s not for much longer now.  My course, believe it or not, has been postponed yet again, now it starts on January 13th (??) – so my leave has been brought forward very slightly ‘til the 16th December, there are certain to be one or two days postponement so I expect and hope to be home on the 18th, all being well I should get 3 extra days for Xmas and plus one or two extra days for bad weather, should be home for a fortnight – then I hear they really are trying to speed up officers’ releases and from what I gather from usually reliable sources I ought with any luck to be out by mid March, a very cheering prospect.  I do hope old John gets back for Christmas, it will be good to see him again – you’ve no idea how I’m longing for the festive season, and what a festive one it we’ll make it too, and how much I’m longing to see you again – it seems ages since August doesn’t it?  Eileen tells me Vi has asked you and us to go there on Christmas evening and what with the tuck at no 5 for lunch the day promises to be packed with hilarity and amusement.  Yes there will be so much to talk about and so much to see both at no 5 and 9 which is new since I was last home, to say nothing of the new, silent limousine.  I’m having a very quiet day today, a couple of hours work this morning, sleep this afternoon and after supper tonight I’m going to see a film called ‘The Song of Bernadette’ which I believe is very good.  Roll on Xmas, 4 weeks time, my love to Pari and Elli, much love, Maz dear, and God bless you

            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 26 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Nov 25th 1945 rec Nov 28th 1945 (17)

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

Letter to Rev Walters from A W Hanson 21 Nov 14

“A” Coy

5th Leicester Regt

Bishops Stortford

21/11/14

Revd T.W. Walters

Revd Sir,

            Having a few moments to spare I thought I would send you a few lines, because I know you will be interested with our movements.

            Last week was a rather busy week on Saturday I was on guard at the “General’s” office from 4 pm to Sunday 6 pm.  We were granted a special day’s pass on Monday, and as I left for home on Sunday evening.  We reached Leicester at 8.30 & were told by the railway people that they had received a telegram to say we were to return at once, so home was then out of the question.  We were only on the station 10 minutes before we left again for Luton.  When we got there we were told to pack everything up & it was 2 o’clock before we got too bed.

Were up again at 4 & fell in at 6.45 to march to Ware.  We were posted rearguard to the Division & so had the opportunity of seeing the whole procession, it took 2½ hours to pass by.

We had a tiring journey behind the Transport wagons because the horses required resting every few miles, in fact at 8 o’clock at night we had too leave about 30 wagons on the roadside.

We reached Ware just about 11.0 pm, & only went 27 miles, so we were 16¼ hours with our complete pack on, never having it off a minute & all we had to eat was a bit of bread & cheese which was supposed to be for lunch.

I stood it fairly well, but many we absolutely worn out & fell in the street like logs when we halted.

We had a rest all the next day & on Wednesday marched to Bishops Stortford, 11 miles which we did very easily.

We do not know how long we shall be here or where our destination will be.

I have got a very nice billet here with a retired farmer.

I hope you & family are keeping in good health altho I suppose the wintry weather will try you a little.

            Must now close with very kind regards to yourself & Mrs Walters & also please remember me to all our members

            Yrs obediently

AW Hanson

                        Lc/Cpl

                        No 2346

In envelope addressed to Revd T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked BISHOPS STORTFORD 21 NO 14.

Letter from Peter C. Benham to his mother.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 18th November 45

My dearest Maz

 Today saw the arrival of your most interesting letter written on Monday – many thanks.  The very thought of that large fat and brown Turk makes my mouth water and your kind invitation to partake of its riches are accepted nem con.  I do hope I really do get back for the 25th – as things are it’s a snip but you know what the army is and one never can tell!  I will do ‘me level’ to get some scissors for you, it shouldn’t be difficult provided I can get out to the place where they come from – leave it to me.  I was most interested in the curt and horribly official letter which included – pro tem, all Pari’s work for the town and I thought his reply was an excellent one, I wonder if it is read out at the Council meeting, if not it certainly should be, and would cause many an uncomfortable hour for the Reds.  I gather from a letter I had today from Eileen that Lampard wrote to Pari, but what’s the use in writing a conscience saver after the ‘foul deed is done’, the time for that sort of thing is before and let it prevent a chicken-hearted action.  I thought Hervey’s article ‘The price of power’ was a very good one and I shall be interested to see his comments after the election of the Aldermen – he must realise at last what a first class wop he’s been.

Since my last letter to you my only three items of interest to report are 2 games of hockey and a film which I saw last night, for the rest I’ve been extremely busy and am likely to be far more so this next fortnight as my G3, Leonard Olney went off on leave yesterday and his was a pretty full-time job which I now have to cope with besides my own.  I shall be very thankful when the 2nd December comes because then my course at Paderborn will only be a week ahead, and when that is over the next stop, to make a rhyme, is Dover!  I’m just longing for Christmas more than I can say, and from what I gather about officers demob there is every chance of my being OUT for good in March, which will be only 10 weeks or so after my leave ends – super show.  Our first game of hockey was on Wednesday afternoon when we beat the General Hospital 3-2, a rotten game with our side much below strength.  Today’s game, a friendly, was as good as the Wednesday one was bad, it was quite the best game we have had here this season, and we were very unlucky to loose 4-3 to HQ BAOR – the very numerous spectators, it was a lovely afternoon, got their money’s worth alright – the game was very fast and clean.  We were 1-1 at half time then 2-1 and 3-2 down then 3-3 with 4 minutes to go, and just before the end their inside left obviously kicked the ball, everyone saw it except the umpire who allowed the defender to go on and score – rather tough.  I scored both our last 2 goals, a couple of real pile drivers – it was great fun and we all had tea in the Officers’ Club afterwards – we had had lunch there.  The Chief of Staff – yes, he plays, wasn’t in very good form, though he thoroughly enjoyed it and entered into the spirit of the things.

Last night I saw the film which you saw some time ago ‘Mr Skeffington’ – after rather a hard week I was in the mood to enjoy anything and though I didn’t think a lot of the story, I thought the acting, especially Claude Rains, was first class.  Your cake is a magnificent one – I was on duty on Friday night and took two slices up with me – I am being very Aunt Maudish with it though and still have half of it left – for my exclusive use!  Maz dear, I must away now – I’m so longing to see you again – only 5 weeks to go, bash on Father Time, my love to Pari and Elli, much love to you

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

P.S – I’m longing for a ride in the new car!  Very pansy it sounds.

In envelope headed ‘O A S’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 19 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Nov 18th 1945 rec Nov 21st 1945 (16)

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