Letters from Frank John Mulcahy to his family, 1941-1945 - Part 11

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you where I am, except that it is "somewhere"
in the Netherlands East Indies, and as such
it is Dutch territory. Things have settled
down to a great extent, and we know where
we are now. I think we should get by
with a minimum of trouble - we certainly
have the equipment with which to do so.
The South Aussies have been well to the fore
up here and Col. Verrier's old mob have
covered themselves with glory - in fact nothing
can stop them. Jack Mulcahy's old unit
is not doing too bad, either, and they are
holding their own. I have met a hell of
a let of chaps I know - some of them I
haven't seen for years.
Well Shirley, time mooches along and
it will have to be so-long for now.
Love to all at home.
Frank

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14/7/45

PR00649

AUSTRALIAN

WAR MEMORIAL
 

AIR MAIL

AUSTRALIAN

IMPERIAL FORCES
PASSED BY CENSOR

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

PR00649

AUSTRALIAN

WAR MEMORIAL

SX3022
Sgt. F.J. Mulcahy
2 Aust. DR. Section
A.I.F.
17 July 45
Dear Mum,
I received a letter from
you a couple of days ago and was pleased
to hear that you are receiving my mail O.K.
You mentioned having received a parcel from me.
I take it that you mean the one containing
my "stepping out" belt and gaiters etc. Did
you see the photos? -  they were taken on the
trip we did last October up through Cape
York to the Gulf of Carpentaria. I included
the poem "White Cliffs" as I thought Shirley
might care to read it.
I was sorry to hear that Dad hasn't been
too well, - I hope it is nothing serious 

2

and that he will soon be right.
Gran seems to be cracking up fast- it
looks as though she will not be with you much
longer.
Do not trouble to send me any parcels, Mum, 
-I have practically everything I want. We have
had quite a few issues from the Comforts
Fund and we have a canteen with us that
carries all we need in the way of soap,
powder etc. As for a cake, don't worry about
that either. The climate up here is not to kind
to cakes and if they are any length of time
coming up, and they are in pretty poor shape
when they arrive. I can get tobacco up here
at 1/2 for a 2 oz tin and cigarettes at 20
for 9^d. So you see I am not too badly
off - the Australian Army has finally
learned hew to look after its men, having
followed the example of the Yanks.
 

3

I am still feeling fine and have become
quite used to this place now. I have now
decided that it is a much better place than
New Guinea, both in climate and type of
country. Another very pleasing aspect is the fact
that there are practically no mosquitoes, and
the few that I have seen are not the malaria
carrying type. Nevertheless, we have to take full
anti-malarial precautions, just in case - with
nets up at night, daily taking of atebrin, and
use of repellent lotion. It is a crime to go around
after dark without sleeves rolled down and
shirt buttoned up at the neck.
Mail from Adelaide has been coming
through much quicker than that from other
states - your letter look only two days to
reach me whilst letters from Melbourne have
been taking six or seven days.
I am not very impressed with the natives

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that are here -  I wouldn't trust them with an
inch. They are a weedy looking lot, averaging
about five feet tall, and it strikes me that
they are not particularly interested who they
have with them – we or the Japs, as long as
there is money around. They will sell out
to the highest bidder.
Well Mum there is not much news at
the moment so I will draw the letter to
a close, hoping this finds you all well.
Love to all
Frank

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17/7/45

PR00649

AUSTRALIAN

WAR MEMORIAL
 

 AIR MAIL

M^rs. J. Mulcahy

32 Corunna Ave

Colonel Light Gardens

South Australia

AUSTRALIAN 

IMPERIAL FORCES

PASSED BY CENSOR

773

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