Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, 1941 - Part 9
(4)
I hope I’m not boring you sweet; I’ll take the risk however and
continue. Inside the Citadel is really wonderful place the colours
are beautiful most of the working however is done in real gold
and hanging from the centre of the ceiling is an enormous
chandelier the floor is covered with a beaut' red carpet, then
in one corner they have Mahommed Ali’s tomb all closed in
and with carvings all over it; after that we visited Mahommed
Ali’s old palace, which is behind the Citadel, from the windows
you can see practically all Cairo, the Pyramids etc in a great
view and once again I wasnt allowed to take snaps, the palace
is very old and knocked about and there is very little of interest
there, he had a bath carved out of solid marble, and I think
gold must be their favorite colour because every thing had
a touch of gold painting on it, after that we had a quiet lunch
and the headed for the Pyramids, you can see them a long
time before you get there, and when we arrived we hired Arab
horses to ride around, they are lovely animals but very lazy but
I enjoyed the ride, the Pyramids are interesting to see and certain-
ly big we climbed to the top of Cheops just to find out how far
it was and Im still stiff it took us 25 minutes to get to the top
and when you look back down it looks practically a straight
drop, climbing up I never thought Id reach the top, then we went
round and had a look at the Sphinx its a high thing though
it dont look so big from the rear, it has recently been repaired.
(back of page 1)
sweet
(5)
I took a few snaps darl but so far I havent had them printed
I’ll send those that turn out ok as soon as there finished, this place
is not what its said to be darl and photos of it are very deceiving
but it is better than Alex which is not hard in my opinion, in say-
ing not hard I mean not hard to be better than, that night I visited
a few night clubs none of them were any good, but I got a laugh
at one, there was an Aussie in there a little under the influence
and doing plenty of mucking about, whilst on the stage there
was a girl trying to sing, she was singing the song and he was
doing the actions anyhow she was in the middle of the song
when she couldnt hold herself any longer and burst out
laughing it was the only time I got a laugh that night; then
the next day we caught the plane back to Alex arriving at
4 in the evening its a 3 hour trip, anyhow I decided to stay
in Alex and return late that night, so we wandered round
and found an excellent club where we went for tea, they had
a beaut orchestra and some very good floor shows, they had
a balancing act which was marvelous, a good singer,
a spanish dancer and a few others after a few hours there
we went to a show to see The Sea Hawk, not a bad show
as you know remember I was telling you they smoke in
the theatres over here well thats not all, they serves beer
in there also, this certainly is a funny place, or at least [[new?]]
its that was a funny place instead.
(6)
Well darl hows my little girl keeping, I hope this find you in the
best of health, I know it will, and how is everyone at home
wish them all the best for me, hows George is he out of camp yet
I suppose you have been cleaning everyone up at tennis.
Well darl it's getting late and I'm getting tired, not tired of writ-
ing to you I couldnt do that but I cant think of anything else
to tell you. I’ll write again as soon as I get a chance and I
hope you receive this soon but I doubt it, Ill let you know
where I am in my next letter if possible.
I wont bore you any longer sweet Lots & Lots of Love take
care of yourself and I hope to be with you soon, so until
the next time ‘Big Cheerio.’
Very Sincerely Yours xxxxx
Mac
P.S. Please excuse the writing etc darl.
Mac
X
A.F. W3078
AIR MAIL
ACTIVE SERVICE
P.A. & Co, Ltd, London
AIR MAIL
This envelope must not be used for
coin or valuables. It cannot be accepted
for registration.
NOTE :-
Correspondence in this envelope need
not be censored Regimentally. The
contents are liable to examination at the
Base.
The following Certificate must be
signed by the writer :-
I certify on my honour that the con-
tents of this envelope refer to nothing
but private and family matters.
Signature
Name only
M. Keshan.
R.A.F
Censor
114
[Up to three letters may be forwarded in
this Cover, but these must be all from the
same writer. The cover should be addressed
in such case to the Base Censor.]
Address :-
Miss. D. Williams.
37 Byrnes St
Bexley.
Sydney
Australia
S.A.G.
Received 30/4/41
37 Byrnes Street
Bexley. Aust
Monday April 7th , 1941
Dear Mac,
Golly, am I being spoiled – and do I love it! Just listen
to this – Tuesday evening (1st Apr) when I got home there was
a letter for me (not yours.) & I just took it as I passed, saying
to Mum "Any more mail for me." No, there was no more mail
according to Mum. Anyway before I went out Mum asked
me if I'd get something for her, – in my bedroom under the
quilt on my bed. Unsuspectingly I marched into my room,
threw back the quilt & surprise! there was your letter
(Dated the 10th of March by the way) Trust Mum to hide it from
me though. But, as they say – "you ain't heard nutin' yet."
Wednesday evening I was late home & as we were going to
the [[Glaci?]], was rather in a rush. I didn't dream of getting
another letter from you – that was expecting too much;
so imagine my amazement when I was handed an envelope
as I tore out the door. Letter no. 2 addressed, pardon, I
mean dated the 16th March. I read it going to Central,
amid questions, wisecracks & laughs from the gang.
Not that that worried me – I had my letter and they didn't.
My third letter, dated the 18th March I had the next day
By this time I was up in the clouds. And this time, Mum
hide it under my plate at the table of all places. I wish
I could make you understand how thrilled I was to get three
in one week Mac. Gee they were great letters too. Id' better
sort them out & take them one by one. It seems strange to hear
you speaking (if only I could – hear you speak, I mean) of my
holidays now. They seem ages away, in fact next Thursday Il'l
be back in my precious Valley, for the Easter holidays. Then
2
I'll be having some funny things to tell you. Most of
the gang will be going down too & we always have a wonderful
time down there (or haven't I mentioned it before?) Im' so glad to
hear you're so well, and also that you still love Aussie best. Id'
hate my Mac to fall in love with some dirty greasy country
"over thataway". Sure, there's no place like home – it's the best
in the district, that's all. Right here and now, we will clear up a
point that seems to crop up quite a bit in your letters, every one
of them. Listen sweet stop worrying – please If you could but
see the look on my face when Im' opening your letters, you would
just know, it would have to be a pretty miraculous person who
could "get in on you" as you put it. People like you shouldn't
oughta be built, that's what. What chance do we poor
gals have when you're around. Are you clear on that point
now? O.K. then! Quit your worrying! And I said no buts.
Cheers for you Mac. Both George & I were tickled pink to hear
you are still a Sgt. That will put them in their place for
a while. By now I hope you have your stripes back on
your arm, as well as in your paybook. Keep at them
Mac, & best of luck darl.
Ill' say you will have to dance & play tennis & everything too.
Not that you will have forgotten though – nonsense. And don't
go saying you never could dance either. I have recollections of
a beaut waltz one night at a certain dance, with a certain
lad, and he wasn't Mickey Rooney. Betty & I went to a dance
over at Hurstville Grove last Sat. night by the way. We
had a great time & afterwards Betty slept at our place.
We did some giggling that night too – in bed I mean.
We get some fun out of life my B. & I.
3.
One, two, three – say did you mean it when you said about
eighteen months. Mac, eighteen months is a lifetime almost.
I'll not only have wrinkles by then, I'll be grey with it.
How would I go with grey hair? Do you know, you have
a heap of things to tell me when you get back, so be
prepared won't you? Better make notes on the various
subjects 'cause you'll be bombarded with questions.
Now you hound, we come to another matter that I wish to
discuss with you. Yes, you ought to look guilty too! I don't care
a hang for this wretched [[Ganven?]] person, whatever you may
think to the contrary. I was afraid you might think that.
Anyway, he sounds alright – to meet on a holiday, or on a picnic
but every day – no thanks. Playboys would bore me horribly
(even with their pots of money ([[no good?]]) My cousin can go
fish next time she wants information about strange men.
With regard to this wedding business which you refer to –
haven't I told you dozens of times that one day someone will
sue you for a breach of promise case. Then you'll be in a
mess. And it was just as as well, for me, that you didn't
hear what I said after reading those lines. You say - (this
is a different subject, Im' changing it for the other one for
obvious reasons) you say Mac, to ask George if he
wants any souvenirs. If George didn't want them, and I
know he does, I do. Im' terribly proud of the Italian
money you sent me (many thanks darl.) and if there is
a chance of getting any badges etc over to me, well I know
you would (would you?) George, incidentally was very
interested in that little souvenir you mentioned in
4.
your previous letter, and agrees that it must be a good one.
By the way – have you still got it Mac?
Those must must be sights alright, those air raids. Only
theyre' the kind that I hope never to see. Especially here
in Australia. We ought to thank heaven every day, that
we were born in this heaven on earth of a country.
So the time was 1.30 a.m & you were going to be in Bexley were you?
You were taking a lot for granted sweet, weren't you? And I
thought you knew my father, too. That was all. Your letter No.1
in this week's mail, but you certainly kept your word, when you
said you would catch up. I wasn't so surprised to receive two
in one week, but three, – well I ask you! And I like the way
you finish off your letters, although I have noticed you don't
experiment with the commencements now. Scared or something?
The album was creased a little bit Mac, when it arrived, but Mum
had fixed it up before I saw it, & apart from a slight dent in
the brass (am I right?) inset part, it's perfect. But the
dent doesn't spoil it Mac so don't frown so.
I didn't laugh when I found I had guessed correctly about that
song. When will you "learn" fellow? A person doesn't laugh
about something so – pardon the word, but its the only
adequate one I can think of – sweet as that was. And it was
fun guessing too. Im' improving don't you think? First guess
and I scored. Did I ever tell you – Im' a world's champion
runner, especially when I run away from boys / no Im' not in
the habit of doing so not that I stand still, but they don't –
oh heavens now I'm in a mess. Skip this part darl please
But maybe I'd get tired, maybe & have to stop. Or maybe
[*I wouldn't get tired, but would just want to stop. And maybe I wouldn't, so I will
take care as you said. You ask, how did we go, listening to "Rebecca" Fine,
just fine. Ah yes, you washed up – after I had to fight you [[about it?]], & if the sandwiches were
burnt, it was your fault, cause you were supposed to be watching the toast.*]
5.
I'll say you were a handful. You wouldn't concentrate on the
play, not you. Thank goodness the play finished when it did, that's
all! Mac sweet, you know I loathe the cold weather – what can
a girl do. If I go outside I freeze & probably if I stay inside, I not
only will boil, but most likely Ill' need air. Shucks its
a problem I hadn't thought of before.
You sound as if you're having plenty of fun with your air
raids over there. For heavens sake keep well & truly inside
those [[funk?]] holes you spoke of, or else, something might hit you
But then, only the good die young don't they. What did
you say? Well! And I thought all this time that I was
writing to a gentleman. Dear me.
Thank you for all those little bits of information which I can
pass on to George. He's very keen on your letters darl . That
is, very keen on parts of your letters. I want to know about
everything. Its a tall order, but I know it won't frighten you
because you know what Imean by everything. Things you think
will interest me, and if you're not sure, then just try me out.
Your snaps haven't reached me from Bullet Head yet. I hope he is
well & as big a nuisance as ever. Tell me Mac, does he still
shave his hair off? You don't do you. Sure as you do. I'll love
someone else, so you'd better be careful of your locks.
How are your eyes standing up to the strain. It's awful,
the agony I put you through. To-morrow I must buy a pad
with some very thin paper in it, so that I can write a
respectable eight page letter, & one you 'll be able to read.
When I read your letter telling me you hadn't received my photos
I was worried, but then I read further on & found they
had arrived after all. I'm so glad you liked them sweet.
Don't feel rotten though, I won't change – even in eighteen
months. I know how you felt though, its crook darl. You
have a memory like a sieve darl. It happened in the lift
one day, & something happened & you were pointing your finger.
Can't say at what, but anyway, at the time I said "Point
that finger & I'll bite it off". You did & I bit. And the two
young chaps from [[Snow Elliot?]] happened along & caught
me having a chew at your finger. Naturally they mis-
construed the action. I remember being indignant at the
time. Are you any the wiser now? Did I really say
that you wouldn't be game to fight? I didn't mean it, honestly.
I must have been teasing you at the time I think.
I don't think much of your Libya, at all. Never did like dust anyhow.
Its' a rotten mess, isn't it Mac? To think civilised people could let
such a thing happen is incredible. The poor old Slavs are getting
it now. The news was released last night that Germany had
proclaimed war on Yugoslavia & to-day we learn that our
lads are in Greece. Our own beaut. Aussies, we are all
terribly proud of you all Mac. There is no one just like
you, in our eyes. So keep it up – and above all, keep
smiling. How did you get on with the chocolates? Hope you
didn't make yourself ill. The censor has opened quite
a few of your letters but none have been crossed out.
[*or in any way obliterated so it's O.K. I don't think I have, but I hope I haven't ever put anything
in my letters that might cause trouble with old man censor. I try my best to keep of the subject
of actual warefare. Is this right Mac or do you like to hear various things from our side? Let me
know about this will you. Well my dear I don't think I could read this mess only hope that
(TOP OF PAGE 2.)*]
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