Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 25^th 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 13^th (??) – so my leave has been brought forward very slightly ‘til the 16^th December, there are certain to be one or two days postponement so I expect and hope to be home on the 18^th, 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 25^th 1945 rec Nov 28^th 1945 (17)

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 18^th 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 25^th – 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 2^nd 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 18^th 1945 rec Nov 21^st 1945 (16)

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Tuesday 13^th November ‘45

My dearest Maz

 When I got back to the mess last night I found your wonderful cake waiting for me.  I sampled a piece before I went to bed and I can truthfully say it is one, if not the, of the best ever, it’s a real beauty – thank you so very much, Maz dear, and thank you also for your anniversary letter which couldn’t have been better timed, it came on Friday 9^th just before I set out on the long journey to Brussels – again many thanks – I think you really are safe to say that this will be the last anniversary we shall not be together for, I hope and pray it is.  Then today more news from you and a lovely bundle of papers – most gratefully received, but your news had the same effect on me as the actual hearing of it had on you, I saw red at once, in the double meaning of the word.  Poor old Pari, I can see him so well, completely dignified absolutely unruffled, but no one can see his labours, his time and money, spent on his town, swept aside but an unscrupulous, ungrateful, cowardly lot of – well I won’t say it, without feeling bitterly hurt – they are cowards because there must have been many who voted against him who had no desire to do so, but whose hearts if they have any are ruled by the whip, and what a crooked whip it is.  I feel very sorry, too, for Percy Sanders and Blomfield, both men who have given much for the benefit of all, no I felt and feel just as you do about it, but it’s no good crying over spilt milk and one must bide ones time, it will come alright, when one can fight their ideals which just won’t turn out the way they want in practice.  I had such nice letters from Pari and Elli on the 9^th and tomorrow night will see me penning a long letter to Pari and one to Elli later on in the week.  The trip to Brussels was great fun and the match a thoroughly good and enjoyable one – we were beaten 2-1, but no-one minds being beaten when the game is even and played cleanly and in a good spirit.  Sunday just couldn’t have been a worse day, it just poured all the morning and never looked like stopping, it didn’t!  they had ‘billed’ the game and civilians were charger 30 francs to watch, and considering the frightful day, the crowd of between 2-300 was an amazingly good one.  The game was very fast despite the fact that the ground was very boggy and one of the circles was under water – it didn’t make it any easier for the inside forwards, and I was completely ‘done’ after the game after trying to ‘tackle back’ and keep up at the same time – I was quite satisfied with my game and the whole team didn’t do at all badly against a team which included 6 or 7 internationals – on a dryer ground I think our methods would have been more successful, as it was we were 0-0 at half time, and then had the waterlogged circle to play into – our inside right scored the goal about 10 minutes from the end.  The journey back and forth to Brussels was a nightmare, 15 ½ hours in the train going and 15 hours coming back, and the carriages weren’t heated!

We got to Brussels at 9.30 am on Saturday and after a late breakfast and a shave I went up to the Avenue Louise where Germaine and Maurice were expecting me and after lunch we went to the Golf Club where I met and played a round with two most charming men, Wasscher and his son.  He is the Wasscher and Watson tennis man, and his son is the coming Belgian best-ever – already no 2 in Belgium and only 24 – a very nice boy, quiet and completely unaffected.  Needless to say I had a very early night on Saturday and slept right in on Sunday morning.  As I say it was a very good trip, though the weather couldn’t have been more unkind to us, and when I got back here yesterday there was snow on the ground and a snowstorm raging.  Am I longing for Christmas? Yessir! and am I longing to see you again?  Yessiree!  Much love to you, Maz dear, and to Pari and Elli, many thanks again for that wizard cake.

            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 14 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope Written Nov 13^th 1945 rec Nov 17^th 1945 (15)

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Thursday 8^th November

My dearest Maz

I thought I would drop you a line tonight, as I’m off to Brussels tomorrow and I hea me doots if I shall be able to write on Sunday – a signal came in yesterday announcing the team which has been selected for Sunday and I’m pleased to say my name was right there – I saw the Chief of Staff this morning and asked if he had any objection to my going and, of course, he hadn’t (couldn’t have even if he’d wanted as the Rhine Army signal read ‘Corps will make the above players available etc!)  I shall be off in the morning and we assemble at Rhine Army HQ at 3 pm, catch a train and get to Brussels just before midnight.  It should be great fun, and I’ll give you a full account of it all when I get back, probably on Monday evening.  So far this week I’ve been very busy but managed to get some exercise yesterday in a pick-up game we had, my legs have completely healed and there are no ill effects.

The mail has been simply frightful this week, since Sunday.  I’ve had three four letters one each from you and Pari, Elli and Eileen.  I was delighted to get your letter on Monday written last Friday and choc-a-bloc with interesting items of news, I was very relieved to hear that the canteen fetched £35, we paid £40 (Woodward’s valuation), so it might have been worse – the price the piano fetched was a real good ‘un, wasn’t it?  I shall be most interested to hear what the other stuff made.

I must say from all accounts, and speaking comparatively, I think the local election results might have been a lot worse, the big thing is that the Reds haven’t got control – I can see I shall have to do something about it when I can get the time.  I was sorry to hear that Ernest got put off, but somehow rather expected it.  Tomorrow is the 5^th anniversary of that never-to-be-forgotten day, 9 Nov 40, and when I look back on the past 5 years I realise more than ever how wonderfully lucky I’ve been in nearly every way.  I say ‘nearly’ because the events of June 44 just prevent it from being 100%; parents who to me never seem to grow older and are always the same, brother as kind-hearted as anyone could be, wife whom I love now more, if it’s possible, than I did when I married her – Yes, I have many blessings for which I am truly thankful, and my only hope and prayer is, that these things may never change – let the Labour people do their damndest to make ones lot a stereotyped one, a nation of puny civil servants with no ambition and no character, they must never assault the family way of life, one thing is sure, they will never succeed in the long run, not with our family anyway.  Now, little Maz, I must away – here’s to Christmas and seeing you again, my love to Pari and Elli and my thanks for their most welcome letters.  Much love to 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 9 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.    

On front of envelope Written Nov 5^th 1945 rec Nov 12^th 1945 (14)

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 4 November 45

My dearest Maz

Your second letter this week reached me this morning and I was delighted to hear all your news.  I am very much looking forward to the arrival of the cake, many thanks in advance!  On Tuesday your letter written last Friday arrived containing, inter alia, the news about John having to go to Norway – it made me simply furious and is yet another example of what one has to contend with these days in the army, it is one of the more scandalous things, pure breach of promise, I’ve heard for a long time.  I’m glad to hear that you have started to drive again – is there any news of the new car yet?  I was so very sorry to hear about Frank Grimwade, probably though a good thing in many ways, but Mrs G will be very lonely without him, won’t she? 

I can’t quite make out why they wouldn’t allow my vote in the local elections, I am on the register and, I should have thought, was entitled to a vote, by proxy or otherwise, whether I was in the Borough or Timbuktu – I just can’t fathom the way these things are run.  How some-ever I was very pleased to see in yesterday’s Daily Herald (a revolting bolshie rag) that Colchester was NOT one of the towns captured by labour, though they had eight gains – I wonder who they were and await details of those who got in, with great interest.

You certainly had an ‘old fashioned’ day at Clacton and I was most interested to hear about David, he is very wise to try and stay in the Air line as there will always be an opening there and he really isn’t trained for very much else, is he?

All being well I’m hoping to get my leave at Christmas time, won’t it be wizard if I do.  My course, which was due to start on 11^th Nov has been postponed yet again and is now due to commence on 9^th Dec and finishes on 21^st Dec.  I have been told that I can go on leave as soon as the course is over and am trying to get a vacancy which would mean my arrival back home on the 23^rd or 24^th.  I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to anything quite so much.  I haven’t been home for Christmas since 1939.  Only 7 more weeks to go.  I have, on account of my change of job, been very busy this week, mostly picking up the threads, but I’ve managed to get 2 excellent games of hockey, apart from these I’ve done absolutely nothing interesting, no films no ENSA shows.  The first game was on Wednesday up at Rhine Army HQ, the big trial match.  The ground was rather bumpy but considering this and the fact that 22 players had been gathered in from miles round, the game was an excellent one.  I played ‘fairly’ well, not as well as I should have liked but scored 2 fairly good goals and am hoping for the best.  The team won’t be announced until Tuesday as 8 Corps weren’t represented in our trial and held one of their own in Hamburg yesterday.  I met no fewer than 3 of my old Uppingham contemporaries playing, John Singleton who was in the team in 1934/35, and two Fawcus brothers, one of whom played a really first class game in goal.

On Thursday the second game was against the local General Hospital side, in the final of the Iserlohn Knock Out Cup.  It wasn’t a very good game as we were far too good for them, leading 5-0 at half time and the play in the second half deteriorated a lot, and we won 6-0 (3).  I had a most unfortunate little accident just after the second half had started.  One of the opposition caught me across the leg with his stick and I can only think that a piece of flint must have been embedded in his stick, as something punched a neat hole straight through my stocking and deep into my leg – the MO packed it with sulphamide (?) and put a clip across it in lieu of a stitch.  He took the clip off yesterday and I’m pleased to say it has now almost completely recovered.  Still no news about demob though one rather brighter thing is that Group 21 (Officers only) not due to be completed until 22 Feb is now going to be out by 12 Dec which is bound to have its repercussions on later groups.  I am duty officer all day today, rather sad in view of the weather, no wind, no cloud and just the day for some good outdoor exercise.  Well, little Maz, I must bash on with a few outstanding jobs I suppose so that I start the week with a clean sheet.  My love to Pari and Elli and my thanks to them both for their many welcome letters. 

Much love to you, Maz dear, am so longing to see you again next month all being well

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

PS.  I hope the big sale was more successful than the gramophone!  Eileen said she saw some of the things in Dansie’s window – she should have gone to the sale and bidded some of the prices up!!

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 5 NO 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.    

On front of envelope Written Nov 4^th 1945 rec Nov 7^th 1945 (13)

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