Letters of Malcolm William Keshan, 1940 (Part 3)

21 MAY '40
 

Church of England Recreation Centres
Headquarters : Tyrrell House, Newcastle, N.S.W.

NAME Cpl. M. W. Keshan.  Number NX11067
Company "J" Company  Battalion: 2/1 Batt. R.J.D.
Camp: Greta Military Camp.
23rd May 1940

Dear Dot,
Just a few lines to let you  know I received your letter
last night.
Well their is not very much to tell you, only you got
all mixed up about my last letter. I did not or at least
was not refering to being mushy or any thing like
that but anyhow just let that go and forget all about it.
By the way you said you would try to come to the
Batt well I do not want you to try I want you to come
definately, and what is more as soon as you can find
out if you can let me know, dont forget I said there
would be a little drink there but not much and the
girls do not drink and what is more Im not a very good
dancer so I warn you in advance.
I had a pretty rough time before I got up here
just a while ago, you see I could not get any peace in
my hut so I went down to some of my friends hut
for a while, and first of all someone  started to wrestle
me and then they got the very bright idea of putting me
under the shower but they could not get me outside the
door, so four of them held me while one smeared tan boot
polish over my face and you should see it.
Enclosed you will find the photos they are not exactly
spotless but they were in my pocket when I had that ruckus 
so it is a wonder they are not all crumpled up. Any
how I do not think you made a very good choice.

10

2
If you should see Ray tell him I will see him over 
the weekend with a bit of luck. an
Well they told us we would be out of here in a month
for certain so this Ball will be very soon unless I miss my
guess and believe me I'm looking forward to it.
Wish Mum and Dad and George all the best for me again
wont you.
Bye Dot I guess I never will be any good at writing letters 
but when I go away there will be a lot more to write about
so it they wont be so short then, anyhow do not forget
to write soon.

Sincerely Yours
Mac

P. S Im just going to get a tin of boot polish and catch a
few fellows one at a time.
MK
PS I almost forgot I have to get my photo taken in uniform for
my parents very shortly and the chap is giving me a painting
or minature for my girl friend and I have not got one so if
you think you would like it let me know.
MK 

23 MAY '40

Young Men's Christian Association
Patron : HIS MAJESTY THE KING

Address your reply as the following example:---
Reg. No. V1234. Ptc. T. Atkins,
A Company, 2/5 Battalion
(or Headquarters, Squadron, or Battery)
Ingleburn Military Camp,
(or any other Military Camp in N.S.W. 
as the case may be).

Write Home First

Think Clean
Talk Clean
Live Clean
Play the Game

Write Home First

18-6-1940
C/o J Coy 2/1 Batt
R.J.D. A.IF.
Greta Military Camp
Greta.

Dear Dot
Well here I am again, to bore you as per
usual but you asked for it.
I had a bit of a change last week end and
did a fair amount of traveling to start of with after
lunch we got dressed and went to Cessnock and after
watching the football for a while we looked the town
over and then got the train to Newcastle had tea
there then went to a concert which was terrible and
after looking Newcastle over headed for Maitland
and from there back to Greta a total of nearly 100 miles
so you see I do not loaf around while of duty.
With a bit of luck I will see you over the week
end I hope.
Funny that you should mention Joan, as I often
think about that letter, but if the address I gave you
was alright I do not see how the letter could go astray
and I will not write again until I receive one from
her, as you said it is not like Joan, well I know that
but, well just but.

2

2
Im glad you liked the photo.  By the way you
mentioned something about Leap Year and a pair of
gloves, well you had better not make that mistake
because you probably would not get the gloves anyhow
catch on.
Here is something for you to laugh at I lost the
Germans but I also lost my voice and I can not even
here myself talk (lucky break for me) I must be getting
as bad as Greg.
Well Dot I guess that is all this time, but I hope to be
taking you out next week so be prepared I’m sure I
havent looked forward to anything so much since I have
been in camp.
Once more it is “Cheerio” until the next time

Sincerely Your's
Mac xxxxx

P.S. The Batt means Battalion not Battery.
MK

18.6.40

Young Men's Christian Association
Patron : HIS MAJESTY THE KING

Address your reply as the following example:---
Reg. No. V1234. Ptc. T. Atkins,
A Company, 2/5 Battalion
(or Headquarters, Squadron, or Battery)
Ingleburn Military Camp,
(or any other Military Camp in N.S.W. 
as the case may be).

Write Home First

Think Clean
Talk Clean
Live Clean
Play the Game

Write Home First

6-7-1940
C/o J Coy 2/1 Batt.
R.J.D. E.C.
Greta Camp.

Dear Dot,
Well here I am to bore you once again.
I was very pleased to receive your letter, and
this time see if you can get time to write before
I leave to come down next Friday the more I get the
better I like them.
My luck is still holding out, and last Monday
morning I was called up to explain why I not in before
12.30 AM that morning but I talked my way ot out of it,
just as well, if I had been caught I would have lost
two stripes.
As for that pie, well, 103 150 miles, is an awful long
way for a pie to travel and get to its destination, in the
same condition as it left if it did get here ok well I
am sure I would get one peice, if I didn't it would be
bad luck for someone believe me.
The funniest thing happened the other night, I went 
to the pictures to see "Wake up And Live" and before going I
made my bed so that when I came home I would be
able to just fall into it without waking the whole hut.

2
Well everything went ok until I got home, then after
sneaking into the hut without turning the light on, I
went to sit whe on my bed, which was my first mistake, 
because it was not there, so then I woke the lot up which
was my second mistake because I finished up under the
shower.
I guess Im lucky anyhow because I have a good
crowd in my hut now, always playing jokes on each
other and mucking up, but I’d rather have them that way
than have a lot of dead heads with me.
At present Im flat out on the floor in our hut with
the wireless  going full tilt trying to think of something to
write. (I said trying)
Anyhow I’m going into Maitland to-night I do not know
what I will do in there but I guess Ill find something to
pass the time away.
Do you think there will be any chance of us going
to a show next Saturday night Dot. Im very persistent
if nothing else, dont you think, you see Dot I believe
in the old saying. If at first you don't succeed try
try again.
As far as I can see Dot I will be on final leave
very shortly I do not know when but I do know it

PLEASE WRITE ON BOTH SIDES

is not very far away.
Well Dot I guess this is the finish this time. You
know its a funny thing but every time I post your letters
I think of something else I could have put in it.
Once more Dot it is Cheerio until the next time
Yours Sincerely
Mac
xxxxxxx
xxx
 xx
 x 

P.S. Don't forget to write soon very soon.
MK