Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 9^th December

6.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

My trip up to the office this afternoon did not go unrewarded for there was your Wednesday letter waiting for me – many thanks, you wonderful letter writer.  I laughed a whole lot at your description of the plumbing incident.  I’m sure that Scott’s embarrassment must at least have been equal to yours – they can hardly be mistaken for anything else though can they?!  Yes. I’ve had quite enough of Princess Elizabeth, I honestly couldn’t care less how she spends her time, every time one opens a paper nowadays there are pictures of her in it.

Yesterday and today have been even colder than ever and both our hockey games had to be cancelled, the ground is as hard as iron.  Every time I want to spend 1^d, I have to go in armed with a ‘winkling pin’ for assistance it’s that cold.  I did nothing very interesting yesterday, and after dinner spent an hour listening to a lecture on the theory of skiing, we have a couple of experts in the Mess and both Dick and I have decided to have a go at it – we did, this morning!  It was great fun and not really so tricky as I had expected.  We went out to some slopes about 5 miles from here and there was just enough snow on the ground to make it worth while.  My first run was just what you would expect and caused considerable merriment and I had to disentangle skis from round the back of my neck several times but after the initial go I went sailing away down the hill and had no more falls – I was extremely careful though as I had no intention of twisting or breaking anything just before my leave is due – it was great fun though.  I see in today’s papers that officers demob is to be speeded, so the inside information I gave you some weeks back was well founded.  They haven’t announced the dates for Group 25 but I gather I should actually be out by mid March, isn’t that a terrific thought, so when we say au revoir at the beginning of 1946 it will only be for the comparatively short period of 10 weeks (2½ months) – super show.  I spent most of this afternoon in the office and had an early tea.  I’ve got a bath laid on for 6.45 and after supper several of us are going to see a film which I’m told is good called ‘Song to Remember’ – Merle Oberon and Frederick March are the two stars – all about one of Chopin’s songs.  All being well ‘this time next week’ every minute will bring me nearer to you and my excitement, pretty acute already, will be reaching a new record ‘high’.  I must away now, angel, to my bath but I will be right back again with you after the film.  Au revoir for now, wiz.

Later 11 pm.  I had a super bath, a rotten cold supper in our unheated dining room and then off to the Theatre, but though we got there at 7.40 we found a ‘House Full’ notice up and made a bee line for the cinema where we got in with no difficulty, and saw a very amusing film called ‘The affairs of Susan’ – Joan Fontaine and George Brent – it was well worth seeing, and the cinema was beautifully warm, one of the chief reasons why we went!  I’ve just had one cup of coffee and jolly good it was too – I feel very tired tonight and I can’t believe it will keep me awake, but time will tell!  I think when I’m back a few good early nights will be indicated, except for our dance evenings – I honestly feel more in need of this leave than any other, I can’t think why, it must be old age creeping on!  Well my darling I must to bed, it’s terribly cold there to start with but I go through the same pantomime each night – I pull all the bed clothes over my head, get a good fug going then gradually poke my head out, very gradually too!  It will be wizard to have a little warm bod alonger mine again!  God bless you, dearest, and keep you – this next week just can’t go too quickly.  ALL my love  is yours and my thoughts are for ever with you, longing for Monday or Tuesday week.  Yours and yours alone with my whole heart

            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 10 DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.  

On front of envelope 9 Dec.

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Friday 7^th December

10.30 pm.

My own most precious darling,

I was very thrilled this morning when two letters arrived from you, one written on Monday and the other on Tuesday – thanks ever so, darling – so the parcels have arrived at last – they really didn’t take long did they?  My sweetheart of course you

are to have the manicure set, it is just a very tiny present from me – the razors, cut-throat should make a very good present for Bill – one of the half Colonels in our mess brought a set and sent it home where it fetched £7-10-0 – so old Bill will have a bumper present this year, and quite right too.  I had NO repeat NO intention of selling it and I can think of no more suitable way of disposing of it than giving it to Bill – a very excellent idea on your part.  I was very interested to hear of your gardening exploits and laughed like a closet when I read of the episode with the snails – I hope you didn’t disturb them too much.  Do I remember your blue jacket, am I ever likely to forget it?  NO Sir – it was, in my humble opinion, always one of your sweetest garments, and with the black skirt you have brought and the black accessories you will look, if it is possible, even sweeter than ever – I’m just longing to see you in it – what about putting it on to meet me in that, and the coat I love so much, good old ‘pony’ – the first little piece of glamour I remember about you – my old heart always used to beat that much faster whenever I caught sight of ‘pony’!  To use rather a hackneyed phrase ‘I just couldn’t agree more’ with your sentiments on the subject of our leave – slight planning for Xmas and Boxing days but for the rest we will do exactly as our fancy may dictate and will please ourselves as to what we do – Today has been a very quiet one and I was away from the office at 6 ocl but back here again at 8 for our table tennis match, which was a complete walk over – out of the 20 games played we lost only 1 and I had no difficulty in winning my 4 games – we are having a real table tennis evening – the visiting team left at 10 ocl and afterwards Leonard Olney and I played a 5 game match – he and our 2 other officer members of the team are battling away now and I must shortly return to play the winner.  It’s been, and still is, an absolute freezer here today and I wasn’t sorry to have spent nearly all day indoors – I very much doubt whether our hockey will come off tomorrow – As the state of the poll stands at the moment with my returning on the 17^th there are now only 9 days to go before I’m home, and, like you, I can think of nothing else but that – oh! how I’m absolutely LONGING for it – when January comes can our D Day be far behind?  No ma’am!  Well, dearest girl, here’s to Monday week and may the next 9 days go by in a flash.  God bless and keep you, my own most dearly beloved, always.  ALL my love to you, I’m 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 6DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.      

On front of envelope 6 Dec.

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Thursday 6^th December

8.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

It’s been one of the foulest days here I think I’ve ever known, snowing hard most of the morning, at lunchtime it turned rather warmer and the snow turned into a sort of misty fog and it’s been like that ever since – I think I’ve said enough!  Anyway I wasn’t very surprised to hear this evening that the first days leave postponement in December has occurred, so I’m now due back on the 17^th and not the 16^th–  Ted Wasdell and I are coming back together and we have agreed that if there is another days cancellation we will stick to the rules, but not if there is a third – so I shall definitely be home either on the 17^th or 18^th – 18^th at the latest.

Can you add the Bakers, and Vi and Ernest to the list of people I’ll be sending Christmas cards to – so far there is no sign of the cards but they should be here in a day or two.

Once again I’m in Dick’s room this evening – wearing me blues and pullover with my magnificent waist-coat over the top!  I heard quite an amusing little story this evening which is just worthy of repetition – a north country girl was being questioned by her mother about the latest suitor – ‘well, dear’ she said ‘you’ve bin walking out now with ‘im for three weeks, wots ‘e like, and why don’t you bring ‘im ‘ome for a bite?  And wot does ‘e do for hisself?’  ‘Well, ma,’ she said ‘ he’s ever so nice.  I don’t know hexactly what ‘e is, proper educated ‘e is, talks real nice ‘e does, I think ‘e must be a doctor, because, mother, you know those aches and pains I’s always getting, well he’s cured those!!

I shan’t be al all sorry if our hockey this weekend is put off unless the weather suddenly improves it is going to be no fun playing and the ground here and at Bad Oeyenhausen will be very bad – I fancy a good quiet day on Sunday.  I do hope we don’t get a lot of snow when I’m home, I look forward to some good crisp days and a few brisk walks – I think we can go nap on a spot of dancing on Saturday 22^nd, there is bound to be a dance at the Club, or more preferable, I reckon, the George.  Dinner there first, I wonder if there is anyone we could make up a party with – have you any bright ideas because I think we should have to book a table some time in advance – I wonder if Nancy King and her husband (sorry – I should say Treddie), will be about?  There will be plenty of time to organise the New Year party when I get home.

I will enclose a little card to go on Lois’ bunch of flowers for her birthday.  I wonder if the things from Solingen have arrived yet and if they come up to your expectations – I’m going to have another run over there next week!  Well, dearest heart, I have one or two small items of work to clear up before I retire – so very reluctantly I must say goodnight, my love and au revoir.  All my love is yours, only yours and I’m thinking of nothing and no-one but you.  God bless you, angel and keep you.

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 8 DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope 6 Dec.

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

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Wednesday 5^th December

8.15 pm.

My own most precious darling,

It’s been an absolute freezer today, snow of the non settling variety has been falling all day, and the central heating in the mess would have to pack up today of all days – Dick has an electric fire in his room and as he is out this evening Ted Wordell and I have moved in and are now busily engaged on our several occupations – he is working whereas my task is a hundred percent pleasure.  The wireless is going very softly in the background so the stage is set for a pleasant evening.  I had such a wizard letter from you this morning, written on Saturday and Sunday – many thanks, darling.  So old Aunt Jane has appeared at last.  I am no great mathematician but I should have said that my arrival on 16^th, 17^th or 18^th might be an event which could have far reaching repercussions – time will tell.  As you so rightly say wooden legs seem to be no obstacle – hadn’t Man Friday got one or was it Long John Silver?  Perhaps you can’t see the connection!  Sorry, now it’s me wots being coarse.  To hear from your own mouth that you are really getting slimmer means a whole lot – but, darling, please don’t get too thin.  I will give you my unbiased opinion when I see you.  I was delighted to hear that the chest of drawers has actually been delivered, very quick work.  I’m longing to see it.

I’ve had another rather ‘messy’ day though I’ve shifted quite a lot of work, ‘messy’ in that I still find it rather hard to settle down to anything.  I have had to cancel our hockey game on Thursday (tomorrow I should say) – the other side couldn’t raise a team, and I wasn’t finding it any too easy myself – probably just as well in view of our two games over the weekend, and on Friday night G Branch plays it’s first game in the inter branch league.  I had a eventful time getting back to the mess this evening – I just missed the 6.35 bus (it left 2 or 3 minutes early) and the one I did catch at 6.45 broke down after going 200 yards.  They put us into the next one to leave, but it was one which goes right round the town and it was 7.15 before I got back to the mess!  I hear that it has now been announced in the papers that all BAOR wallahs who go on leave between 13 – 23 Dec will get 3 extra days in England, so it means 15 days in all!  If I arrive on Sunday 16^th I shall have to be back at Victoria on 30^th, provided there are no postponements – only 10 more whole days to the 16^th and I can think of nothing else, hence, I think, my being unable to settle down to anything in the work line.  I really must put in a few early nights between now and the time I come home, ‘do’ I shall resemble a piece of half chewed rag by them – I think I will start off tonight so will be closing, I only hope this snow doesn’t settle yet awhile, I’ve a horrid feeling that when tomorrow dawns everything will be quite white, so my angel, as the warmest place is bed, I will hie me off there at the double.  God bless you, little one, and keep you – I love you, dearest heart, just terribly much and am longing to see you, roll on Sunday week – ALL my love is yours, only yours, and I’m always thinking of you

            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 5 DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope 5 Dec.

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

Saturday

Rev^d T.W. Walters.

Rev^d Sir,

            I know you have been expecting to hear from me before now, but I have had very little time to write till this morn.

            Since I last wrote to you we have been moving about & our orders are that we must not mention the places we go thro or stay at.

            At out last stopping place, I had an exceedingly nice billet & was sorry to leave it so soon.

            Our billet at present is in a small village about 2,000 people & somewhat similar to Thringstone, altho the inhabitants are of the poorer working class they make us very welcome, & are only too pleased to do their utmost to make us homely.

I am with a couple who have been married about two years & have 1 child.

For the first 3 days here we did very little, but have made up for it since.

Last Sunday we had Church Parade in the Village Church, our Band played the service thro & they managed the Psalms very well.  Afterwards I went to the Ordinary morning Service & again in the Evening & I hope tomorrow to be able to go to H Communion.

This week we have had two 11 mile Route Marches, the second was Divisional & they told us when we marched back into our village that the last company had only passed thro about ¾ hour before we got back, so you can tell what a length it was.  We were the first company in the march & started at 9 o’clock & arrived back at 11.20, on the way we were reviewed by Field Marshal Sir E. Wood, the General of the Division & his staff.

We have had several lectures on what we must do & observe when we reach the Front, our Discipline & courage & braveness.

I should very much like to be able to see home & friends for a few hours, but all leave has been stopped, so we do not know when or if we shall get any more before we leave.

I don’t think I have anything more too tell you this time, I hope yourself & family are in the best of health.

I myself am excellent & since I left home have gained 16 lbs in weight.

Kindly remember me to the Men’s Service, my thought other wander back to our pleasant services & week night meetings, when you have the first Annual Book issued, I should very much like one if we are still in England.

Must now close with very kind regards to all.

            Yrs obediently

Albert W. Hanson               

P.S. The postal address now is: – No 2346 Lc/Cpl AWH  ”A” Co 5^th Batt Leicestershire Reg^t North Midland Division.  3^rd Army.

Please excuse my writing, but hard work trench diggings has made my hand too unsteady to write as I should like.

I expect the postmark will show you where we are, altho I dare not put it in the letter.  We are told that if letters have name in they will be destroyed.

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

Letter postmarked SAWBRIDGEWORTH HERTS 5 DE 14.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Tuesday 4^th December

11.30 pm

My own most precious darling,

I’ve just got back from Solst where I had dinner with Freddie Self – a very pleasant evening we had too.  It’s about an hours run from here and I arrived plum on the dot at 7.30, a couple of quick gins and then a jolly good dinner, followed by a long natter and a game or two of shove halfpenny and so back here.  Yesterday morning saw Leonard Olney back off leave and since his return I think a spot of reaction after my flat-out fortnight must have set in – I just haven’t been able to settle down to anything – reaction is the secondary reason though, the primary one being the ever increasing proximity of the Great Day – it’s getting most thrillingly near, isn’t it?  If, in the unlikely event of there being no cancellations, I actually arrive on Sunday 16^th, then there are only 12 more days to go!!  What sheer joy it is to think about it.  I decided last night that to bed early was the order of the day, so having completed my hockey article I was in bed by 9.30 and asleep at 10.15, a record for me for recent nights, I felt all the better for it this morning when I woke of my own accord at 7.45!  No letters from you yesterday or today and since Sunday my only mail has been a letter from Brian, who very kindly did a bit of ‘form finding out’ for me when he was in London some days ago, one thing he told me which took a considerable load off my mind was that Gibson & Weldon’s return to London next year – I had a horrid feeling that they were going to stay in Guildford and I couldn’t for the life of me see how I was going to get back and forth for 4 days each week over a period of 6 months, it was quite a major headache, but all is well now though the journey up and down to London is a sweat but has one advantage which I remember of old, namely that one can cover quite a lot of reading in the train.  I must admit that these last 2 days have been about as dull and colourless as anything one could imagine but the end of the week should be very different – hockey on Thursday Saturday and Sunday and a table tennis match on Friday evening, this will be our first match in the newly formed inter branch league – a league which I reckon G branch should win.  There was news today of our Christmas cards and I have ordered a swift two dozen, amongst those which I will send from us both will be

Bill and Dorothy

Grannie Ethel

Barbera and Hervey

The Kings

Sansoms

Stanley Leaning

Major Leanings

That will be a start and I’ll let you know later who else I’ll be sending joint ones to – but you needn’t worry about the above, they will be coped with.  Now my angel, to bed and may the morrow bring with it one of your wizard letters – I can hardly wait ‘til Sunday(?) week to be seeing you again.  Oh!  I’m just longing for it – God bless you, dearest heart, always.  All my love is yours and I’m thinking of you – Yours only yours

            for ever

                        Peter

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

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 6 DE 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.     

On front of envelope 4 Dec.

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

No 4564 “A” Coy 3/5 Leicester  Belton Park Grantham.  Dec 4^th.

Dear Rev Walters,

            I have just secured a fine Post card photo of Grantham church which I thought might interest you.  So I ask you kindly to accept it.  It has the greatest steeple that ever I have seen.  It is a magnificent church.  I am pleased to say I am well.

Please don’t  write back as we are coming back to Leicestershire about  Wed or Friday next.

Yours sincerely

            J.W. Brotherhood

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicar of Whitwick, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicestershire.

Letter postmarked Grantham 10 pm 4 Dec 15

Also in envelope a post card of The Church Grantham.

Major P.C. Benham,

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Sunday 2^nd 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 (18^th), but time will tell.

I was delighted to get your two letters this week, written on the 23^rd and 27^th 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 2^nd 1945 rec Dec 5^th 1945 (18)

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