Ganda Nallah
Bahawalnagar city-62300
Punjab

August 9, 1999

Major Ikram Sehgal
Publisher & Managing Editor
Defence Journal

My dear Ikram,

Enclosed herewith please find some snapshots of the old SOLAH PUNJAB REGT Association (UK) reunion which was held during the month of June Ô98 at HURLINGHAM Club.

Major Peter Benson (a former Bn 2 i/c) was a very popular and prominent figure who was extremely dedicated to his Bn right up to the end. I regret to inform you that he died at his home during the month of December Ô98.

Of course you know that your respected father came to Pakistan just after partition to form the hard-core nucleus of 7/16 PUNJAB Regt of which he was the shining star. This Bn is now widely known as the ÒSher Shah RegtÓ in commemoration of the late L/Nk Sher Shah who was awarded the coveted Victoria Cross, the highest gallantry award.

The first Pakistani CO of the Bn after partition (as far as I know) was Lt-Colonel M Zarif Khan MC with whom I was in touch during the 1980s and his map ref is :

House No. 20/D
6th Road, Satellite Town
Rawalpindi.

I am informing your late fatherÕs Bn about you because you are such a valuable and distinguished link with the formation of this Bn now standing sky high in performance. The credit goes to your illustrious father (God bless his soul) who did the spadework and laid the foundations.

With loving regards
Captain A. A. Jilani (Retd)

105 Spencefield Lane
Evington,
Leicester LE 5 6 HH
U.K.

29 March 1999

Dear Captain Jilani,

Thank you so much for your kind words of sympathy following the death of my dear husband Peter. The family and I have been so touched by all the kindness shown and the support we have received, we shall always remember in the years to come.

Peter and I always attended the annual re-union of the regiment and lately we have taken the family too as our children were so proud of their father and loved to meet his old friends, particularly those who had travelled all the way from your continent to renew their friendships.

My trust in God is complete - He led us so gently last year to the final outcome - please pray for my dear husband.

Very sincerely
Barbara Benson.