Letters from Frank John Mulcahy to his family, 1941-1945 - Part 9

PR00649
Australian 
War Memorial

SX3022
Sgt. F.J. Mulcahy
2 Aust. DR. Section
AIF. Australia
13 June 45
 

Dear Shirl,
I received your “serial” letter
today - it took me some time to sort out
the pieces, but having done so, it proved to be
most interesting. Margaret and yourself
certainly seem to have done yourselves well on
the Gulf Trip, and later during the fortnight 
at Pt. Lincoln. As per usual, you conducted
yourself with decorum – I hope.
What do you mean by saying the AIF was
a picnic - why shouldn't we war- weary
veterans avail ourselves of a little hospitality 
now and again? Don't tell me you are
jealous of the girls’ good fortune. Never mind,
my child, your turn will come – when you

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grow up. (the same to you) - and please do
not allude to the members of 2 Aust. DR. Section
as a" mob of hoboes". I have a distinct objection
to it, and I'll have you know that you could
not find a more refined or well-mannered
group of young gentlemen - sometimes.
Gee, it's cold tonight- I washed my pull-over
today and as it is not quite dry yet I
am sitting hunched up on the chair with a
blanket around  me - resembling very much, I
should imagine, an Indian squaw.
Well, things have been pretty busy here
during the past few days and I have had very
little time to myself. You will observe, by the
way, a slight change in my address. I
will say no more.
Last Saturday night we had another party
-and believe me, it was a wow. I finished
up crawling into bed at 4.10 a.m. and was

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up again at 7a.m We did not know it at the
time of making arrangements for the party, but it
so happened that it turned out to be a very
appropriate and especial occasion for celebration.
I can't tell you why.
I will tell you, though, of an incident that
happened to me whilst at this party. I will start
at the beginning. One of our chaps has a girl-
friend in a town about fifty miles from here
and although I had spoken to her on the phone
I had never actually met her Anyhow, this chap,
in view of the party, had her come up here for
the week-end, she staying at the hotel in a
town near here. Anyhow, on the way to the party
I ran into this chap and his sort, whose names
up for further information are Jack and May.
Naturally, being well brought up, Jack introduced
me to his May. I was visibly impressed,
May being a slashing blonde and very, very 

4

easy on the eye. We eventually arrived at the house
where the party was being held. Things were just
beginning to warm up and dancing was in full
swing. I had a couple of dances and then decided
to have a cigarette. I was leaning against the rail
smoking when May came up to me and said
"Do you know we have been here for half an
hour and you haven't had a dance with me yet?"
I was knocked off balance for a moment, but recovering
I said "Is that a fact well, I guess we had better
do something about it", so we promptly went into
a slow fox-trot - she is a pretty good dancer,
incidentally. We danced through a couple of numbers,
during which we had a great old yarn and became
much more acquainted. (I know this is boring,
but I am leading up to my climax). We had
been dancing for some time when she suddenly
said "It's a funny thing, but you are not a bit
like I thought you would be". I pricked up 

5

my shell-like ears and said "No? - and may
I enquire as to what sort of a person you had
imagined me to be?" "I don't know," she
answered "but I always thought Sergeants
were nasty types - but I like you, you're nice"
Well, that absolutely floored me and I staggered
a few steps before I could say "Thank you -
you're very nice yourself". What added to the
compliment was the fact that she was a really
nice kid, and it was quite evident that she
was not on the "make" or anything like that,
but was quite serious when she passed the
remark. I felt highly honoured, and began
to think that I wasn't such a bad guy
after all. I won't bore you with anymore
details except that I must have had the next
four dances with her, at least, and then I
decided it was time I handed her back to her
boy-friend, Jack, who by the way, is a decent 

6

sort of chap. They are both "nuts" about each other
and are practically engaged. There is only one thing
holding Jack back - he is R.C. and she is not,
and he doesn't like the idea of asking her to turn.
Not that he would have much difficulty there, for
in my opinion, she would do it quite readily
for him, she is that type. Anyhow, he is a fool
if he passes her up. Before she left the party
she made me promise to come to her place to
tea if I ever got the chance. That, fair
sister, is the tale of my "incident". How does
it feel to have a brother who is a Sgt. and
at the same time, "nice"? All right, don't say
it.
My favourite Corporal has just brought me
in a cup of tea and a piece of toast, so
pardon me whilst I attend to the inner man.
That was very nice, and after having been
thus fortified, I shall endeavour to wander

7

further with this epistle.
Saw a good show last night it was
"Love thy Neighbor" with Jack Benny and
Mary Martin. Had quite a laugh out of it.
I received a telegram from Frank Fisher
yesterday, telling me he was the proud poppa
of a baby daughter.
Well Shirley, time mooches along - it's getting
colder - the lamp's running out of kero -
my bed looks inviting, and in face of all
that opposition I am afraid I have no
alternative but to draw this letter to a close.
Love to all at home, and keep writing.
So-long from
Your "nice" brother
Frank
 

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13/6/45
PR00649
Australian 

War Memorial

AIR MAIL
 

M^iss. Shirley Mulcahy
32 Corunna Ave
Colonel Light Gardens
South Australia
 

AUSTRALIAN

IMPERIAL FORCES

PASSED BY CENSOR

935

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