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.

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.

14^th OCTOBER, 1915.

882 – OFFICERS – SUPENNUMERARY –

            With reference to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 944 of 13^th October, 1915, Officers Commanding Units will take necessary action – reporting to Brigade Head Quarters –

• The names of the 2 Supernumerary Officers per Company who are being retained.
• The names of the Supernumerary Officers who have been sent to the 29th (Reserve) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

883 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 942 of 13^th October, 1915.

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.

13^th OCTOBER, 1915.

877 – R.A.M.C. ORDERLY OFFICERS –

            With reference to Brigade Order No. 864 of the 9^st inst., for the name of Lieutenant J. Muirhead, R.A.M.C., read Lieutenant R.B. Macfie, R.A.M.C., attached 20^th (S) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

878 – OFFICERS COMMANDING DETAILS –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to 34 Division/1426/A dated 11^th October, 1915, issued to-day.

The name of the Supernumerary Officer to be appointed Officer Commanding Details of each unit will be forwarded forthwith to Brigade Head Quarters.

These Officers will attend at Brigade Head Quarters on Thursday, 14^th inst., at 3 p.m., and will report to the Staff Captain for instruction in their duties.

879 – QUARTERING COMMITTEE –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 354 of October 12^th, 1915, Major J.F. Mackay, V.C., 21^st (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish) is appointed a member of the Committee referred to and will place himself in communication with the President of the Committee.

880 – EXTRACT FROM DIVISIONAL ORDERS –

12:10:15.

Hawkers –

            It has been noticed that Hawkers of the Gipsy Class are following troops at manoeuvres and drill.

Troops are forbidden to make purchases from hawkers (see Divisional Orders 158 and 342) and all Officers are to see that this order is strictly enforced and drive off hawkers who approach their men.

Divisional Order No. 356.

881 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Orders 355 and 357 of 12^th October, 1915.

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.

12^th OCTOBER, 1915.

876 – BOOTS – FITTING OF –

            With reference to Brigade Order No. 872 dated 11^th inst., boots are until further orders to be fitted over one pair of socks only, not two pairs.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

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

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

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

                                                                                                                   Thursday 11 Oct 45

9.30 pm –

My own most precious darling,

Another letter from you today, you really are a wizard to write so much – I was most interested in your news and to hear of your day at Walton – the old jam store is coming along very nicely, well done!!  Angel, I’m sorry I gave you such scanty particulars about my new job, but there is very little in it – I stay here and am still a G2 in Ops but am responsible not for moves and pure ops as I am now, but for training and all air support matters – I don’t think I shall even have to move my office!  I heard today that my course at Paderborn Training Centre has been postponed until the 12^th November but I shall still do my week’s attachment at 2 Group RAF HQ starting on Monday.  It may involve one flight down to a Wing of theirs in Brussels but believe you me I’m much keener on terra firma than wind – yessir!  Please continue writing to me at the usual address as I shall probably come back on Thursday to pick up mail etc.  You will be pleased to hear that I have acquired a canvas squashy bag – not beautiful to look at but very useful and a good size – I spun a long story to our Ordnance wallahs who control them – taking over G2 Air etc and they gave me a chit for the officers’ shop where I bought one for £1.  They are very difficult to get if you are below the rank of full Colonel so I feel rather pleased with myself.  Before I forget it I must refute a slight slur you cast on me the other day on the subject of hats, green, pork-pie.  No darling, I have never possessed a pork-pie of any hue but you are not far out really as I have a very dignified trilby, green, felt which, purely to cause amusement, has been shaped as a pork-pie but never, to my knowledge, has it been worn as such in public!!

I was very much in the wars this afternoon during our local derby match v Defence Company who brought a large gathering to cheer their team to victory and barrack, in fine soccer style, the opposition.  I was the centre of attraction and there were many raucous cries of ‘bring him down, knock him down’ etc when I got the ball and ‘mark that inside left’ when I hadn’t.  The opposition took the ‘bring him down’ exhortations seriously and twice, once when I was about to flash the ball into the net, I was literally bowled over and am now minus skin on both knees, elbows and right cheek of back-side!  Worse was to come, the right back hit a full blooded lofted drive and yours truly standing 5 yards away received it on the forehead.  By the grace of God it was just above my right eye, and though it broke the skin, might have been much worse and I have an enormous ‘egg’ and the prospect of a super black eye!  I was able to go on playing and much to the barrackers chagrin popped two into the net, we won 4-2 and gave as good as we got in the injuries line.  I also have had a bit of a headache so shan’t be late into bed tonight.  To make up for my being away from the office for a couple of hours this afternoon, I had to put in a spot of overtime and a very busy day found me packing up at 7.15 pm.  Darling, I forgot to mention last night that my parcel was dispatched yesterday evening and sent by registered post so it shouldn’t be long in arriving.  The contents come to you with my love, every little tiny bit of it, and are a little present, part of it, for the 11^th Nov – I doubt whether I shall get another shopping opportunity for a bit.

Trevor is back tomorrow but I have a busy day ahead of me, but his return will make a lot of difference.  Sweetest dearest beloved, I must to bed where I ask just to dream of the sweetest girl who ever breathed, the girl I love with all my heart.  God bless and keep you, little wizard – ALL my love belongs only to you, the key of my heart is yours for always, I’m just LONGING to see you again, living only for that and for our D day, now drawing so close.  Yours, only yours for ever 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 12 OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope 11 Oct.

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

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.

11^th OCTOBER, 1915.

870 – FIRE ORDERS – SEQUENCE OF –

            In future the Fire Orders will usually be given in the following sequence:-

Range.

Target.

but it must be understood that in circumstances which render such a course clearly necessary – Officers Commanding Sections may reverse this sequence.

871 – CLOTHING – GIFTS OF –

            The Ladies Committee, Tyneside Scottish Brigade, have now in stock a considerable quantity of shirts, scarves, mittens, socks, etc., for units of the Brigade.

Officers Commanding Units should take early steps to inform:-

J.R. Hall Esq.,

Honorary Secretary,

Tyneside Scottish Committee,

9, Grainger Street West,

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.

of their requirements

872– BOOTS –

            With reference to the correct fitting of boots – Regimental Pattern – for use overseas – the attention of Commanding Officers is drawn to their grave responsibilities in this connection.  In case of any difficulty occurring in obtaining the correct sizes at once – a special report is to be made without delay to Brigade Head Quarters and to the D.A.D.O.S., 34^th Division.

            On no account are boots of too small a size to admit of two pairs of socks being worn to be issued.

873 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 922 of 9^th October, 1915.

874 – EXTRACT FROM DIVISIONAL ORDERS –

            9:10:15

Military Police and Sentries –

            Complaints having been received that civilian workmen engaged in construction, and repair and maintenance of hutments and roads, are prevented from going to their work, Commanding Officers will issue orders to Military Policemen and Sentries that they are not to stop gangs or men, who are obviously workmen.  In cases of men who come into Camp to look for work under the Contractor, they are to be taken to the nearest ganger in the camp and if he does not engage them they are to be conducted out of camp again.

The Contractor does not employ the Time Check System and workmen are not provided with passes.

Divisional Order No. 338

Boots Regimental Pattern (Overseas) –

            Indents should be passed by Officers Commanding Units at once for R.P. Boots to complete establishment under War Office telegram 1344 dated 7-8-15., if not already submitted.

Divisional Order No. 349.

875 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS –ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Order No. 339 of 9^th inst., and No. 348 of 11^th inst.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

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

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