Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, 1941 - Part 9

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Love Letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.14
Difficulty:
2

Page 1 / 10

I hape Io nat bering you revces, Ill take the Ast hawever continue. Inside the Cladel so really wonderful place the calour are beautiful mort of the working however is done in reat gold and hanging from the centre of the ceiling is an enormaus candentur the floor is caured with a beau res canpet then in one corner they have Iahammed Alis tomt all closed in and with carvings allower it, after that we visited mahommed Alis ald palace, which is behind the Citadel, from the winderns you can see practically all Cairo, the Pyrameds stt in a great view and once again I want allowed to take suaps, the palace is very ald and knocked about and there is very little of interess s sail cansens of ratisi ath, and Ith suebe gold must be their favorite calai be cause svery thing had a touch of gald painting on it, after tha we had a quie lunch and the leaded for the Pyramids, you can see them a long time before you get there, and when we arrived we hired trat herses to side around, they are lovely animals bu very lazy bu I enjayed the side, the Pefamids are interesting to see and certain by big we chimbed to the tap of Cheaps just to fine out haw far it was and I'm still diff it look us 25 minutes to get to the tap when you look back dawn it to ake practically a straight drap climbing up I never thought Id reach the tap, then we was round and had a look at the sphinn its a hugh thing though it dens look so beg from the rear, it has recently been repaired bait hage
15) I teat a few maps sarl but so far I havent had ttem p Iell send there that turn cut al as soon as there finested, this place is not what its said to be darl and phates of it are very deceiving tet it is better than Alex which is not hand in my apinion, in say ing nat hard I mean n hard to be better than, that night Serited a few night cluts nore of them were any good, but I gat a taugh a one, there was an Aunu in these a little under the influind and deing plenty of mnucking about, while on the stage there was a ginl trying to ring, she was ringing the sing and he was daing the actions anyhaw she was in the middle of the ring when she couldn hald herseff any longer and hurs aut taughing it was the only time got a lough that night We next day we caught the plane back to Alexarining & in the evening its a shour trip, anyhew I decided to atery in alex and return sate that night, so we wandered raund and found an excellent clut where we went for tea, they had a beaut orchestre and some very good floor stows, they had a balancing act which was manustaus, a good singer, a spanish dancer and a few athers after a few heur there went to a shw to see The sea Hau, hat a bad show as you know remember I was telling you they mmake in the theathes over here well shals no all, they server ber in there also, this certainly is a funny place, or at deart naw Ats that was a furny place instiad"
10 Well sarl have my little gut keeping I hape this find yar in the ter of health, I know it will, and haw is every one at home wish them all the best for me, Lawe George is secus af camp ye I suppose you have been cleaning everyore up at tennis Well darl its getting late cond I getting tined, not tired af urit ing to you I couldn do that but I can think of anyeting alse to tell you. I'll write again as soon as I get a chance and I hape you receive this soon but I dauks it, Il let you know wlere I am in my next letter of possible I went bere you any lenger seuce hat hats af have take care of yainself and I hope to be with you soon, so until He next time By bun Very Sincerely yours P.S Please excure tle writing at darl. w/4
42 ACTIE Procals ad SEU his carclose od or coin or vatuabletocano be accepted for registration. NOTE Corcondinge ho cortre aed to c Rcgincatally. The coments a mi ate Base. The toAFir ind sarte ot te one n te con tents of this coa rest to nathing but privie and ther inffere Sionatt haw in Karhe SERVI We te tee e this Cover bu these mus be all from 1h same writer. The 0 or should be addressed in such case to the haco conser Address: Miss. D. Williams 27 Bymess Bexle Sydney
Received 30/4/41.
37 Bynnes Staad Besley Aud Tulday Apsil 7th, 1942 dear thar Gally, an I being speiled and so I lav it Jer lesten to thes Tursay evening (eas Aps when Igathens there was a letter for me (notequas)s & pert tash is as depessed, saye to hem day mare nail foume ho, there wasno nos mail according to hum Anyway before I wers and tem acked se if Is ges cadling for per, in my besmurder the quiet or my bed beaupedingly dracked into rrea them back the quilt a supalse! there was your letter Datea the 1th of March by the way) Trues hum to pide st feom me though Bid, an they say you aur's pease nuten yes Mesnesday wering I was late lane & as we were giing to pl, stt in a rut Idist arch of getting mother letter from you that was expecting te m so insguiig anaymen when I was padded in envelope as Ietore out the dear Letter ho 2 assuned, parson, & imean dated the 16th March Iread it gayg to Centoal and queettons, wisacks& laughs from the garg casthas that waned ne I had my letter and they ded Thy there letter, dard the 10th March I had the new day By this time Twesup in the clads And this time, Mun hide it insering plate as the table of all places. I wish Scauld make you understand new thailled Iwas to ges thane in are week hac Ye they were great letters too La better sad them and take them are by sae. Il seens stange to hear you speaking (afanly Icauld hear you speak. I hese) of ay neledars inew Tey wear ago away, in factegeat Thursday £l8 be back in my pacous Valley for the Eadter helday The
2 Ill be having seme furry things ito tall you mrow of the gang will be ging dawn too o see always have a worderful time down there for havens Imerteaned i before da as glad to bego yere sawell, and also that you still lave Aurxe bes Is rall my had to fall in lave with same dily quary countar even thalaway. Sue theres so place like hene its the best in the dedairs, thats all Right pers and sawe, we will dear up a pai that seems to caep repquite a bis in y letters, every ae of their Luten mut step wornying please of you could be see the lash on vefare when dron opening your letters, you would pit huas, it wauld paid to be a parlly incaculous peasen who could given on you as you put it. People the you shauld oughte be built thats what whas chaare do we pa a he yu vd bee you dear on that pain sen ? Oc then Quis your sucreying! And I said no buts Cheeas for yeu Mas Both George & were pckled pant to pear you are lall a dge Thas will put then in their paace for a while. By naw I hape you have your staipes back on you sam, as well as he your payliash. Keep a them There, & best of such dare Ill say you will have to danse & play tenis & everything two has that you will have fougetter though nencerse And an go reying you never cauld Hause either I have resollections of a heard wally are sight as a adain dance, with a certain lad, and he ween Meckey Rasney Btty & Iiven to a daw over at Quadulle Grave last Da nigh by the way. We had a great tine Caperwards Betty seep as an place be did sane giggling thas righ po in hes Imean e gesrm u B
Ane t, thaw say did you mean a when you said abovet sighten months Mae, eightte manths is a lefettne alma Ill nstenly have wrinkles by thei I'll be gay with it Haw would dgo with guey haw Do you knaw, you have a leap of things to lell me when you gid backs, so be prepased wen's you Better make rates on the sancies subgices cause spull be benbarded with questions haw you pound we cone to another matter that I wish to disires with you Yes yeu augh to lesh guilty to Ida can a hang for this whethed Geaven persen, whateeer you may think to the contsaay I was apsed yurnigh think that Ampway he sads alsgh to reton a palisay an an a perce Mtay any to thinks the pay would tenele hemtly (even with thei pts of money (ragsed heycas can go fuh reatture she wants inforation about strangernen tuch regard to this measing hunrers whit you refer to haven's Iteed you dons of times that ore day sene will sue you for a breach of prase case. Then eull be ina new And is was pst as well for o that you disns hear wha I said after reading shos pixis You say tthis is a different sulyers, In changing s for the other ave for sucusreason) you say Mas, to ack George of he wants any camenias of Grange didn want them, and hwhe daes, I do dnitleably prad of the Aalion money you serine (many tharksdail) and if there is a chame of getting any bagges stc over to se, well I hear you enaula (bsuld you Marge, insisentally wasvery in that lttle sa you mentioned in
pur premsus letter, and apres that it huat be a good end By theway have you sell gos tt Mas There ourd be eights alsight then are saids Only tee the pes tha Shep never to see respecially here in Austoalia We ough to thank pewer every day, has we were ben in this heaven so eaith of a Country to the tre was 130 ams yeu were going to be in Bealey were ye You were taking a let for granted suce, wee you and I taughs you have my gather too Shatwas all for letter bo in this waks neet, but you canly keptyou was when you said you would catch up Irasos so suprised to secone tw in see week, but theee well Fask you And Plihathe way o the sect of te Otters althugh &hav ndevd you ra echenimnes with the commencemen to rew scased on reaithing He allun was sreased a little lat has when is arowed, but hee had pxed & up before I raw is, rapars from a slight deasin the roars fam I righs was pass its prefect But the dea de speel i tae so do free so EIdidnt lough when I found I had guared comestly abaut that sng then well you law fellow Alperson asas laug abous sineeing so parson the wad, but its be only adequate one Tean think of suce as thas was And I was fur guessig too I impraving do you think sus gees aid I sened i Lever tell you La wordichampion runner, especially when theen awey fen bags ho Eniseter the labes essaing so mos thas Irtand sall, bu they dos ahheavers new Iner amees ship this harsdoal pleasy Bulkaipe Ld getie nayle here to seep Canee
5 Ill cay you were a landful you waldn concentrale on the pay, te dhank maes the play finisled whe sad sat all k you kw I lathe te cald weathe what can a gue do If g acude & se s prbedly o Istay sde, will eg but nos lebely Il aix shachs its acpredten & nd thoughs of before you sa as if u haping w a prai we tele ou headens sake plep wells til wie tlas punt hdes you spake of an else, sithen nighs i y Busten, only the rec aend to Ragae you say Sull tnd Shaughs Ballthis sent that Lwas waiting to a gentleman Dea Thank you fit all the lettle bts of infamation which Iaa pesad to Gage Hes very reer as yu letters saie sha is very pee on thants of you prss Twent to abou everything att lall aide but tknow is wand frighter t steaue you knew what ear by werything dring yu think well inthermes and sie yt s wis reache me You Wulles enof yes Rape sw Aece atb a rusee as w sell epar fisest lave a you sune as t slave soncere sre sshid telt be ca se lu sawanes Etle age f Dhst yo txed any b 2D very the paper in is to tha seen wiit a will sam respertable ito page tee wil be estass ttwben saed you letter tellengne you haves receiveding tpe t I was waided but the Baeld Suather has assued after all so gle you tiles theer swell ong sveneghten sdens feet rotten thaugh, I wa sontho Iknew lap you felt theush ato cassh dae ip heve a nerry lhe sie dail t rappered in the less anday ssoulthing replireds sentng putt e dan tay. at the find Isail F lan lay at we that Jugen s all lite is of s Yuaga sd lis arc the yungshans ifree sea allso happens alonge evy me goreving a chawal y new hravelly they is cngthe actin redember b inalsact 2 Dis Ieally pay very i tree Tad you, waskens begane to figts Iacan egs sf he lity hat e ds te tay & smt rave ben lealing same think much of you Cebza & sall, heven dis like dustante s a et saten cle a will w t t Eisangtte appen is insiediale the pee such a sty is now she hews was released last nigh that lonag hal proceed wp on Gugulantodyan w las an epeece san Ais, we are all asibly psed of you gll has see is wase lit our eges so rep vup and alove all heep an paiing Hew aes you given with the charalates Hepere dear lnate yeuelt sill the seo las apacd qt a few fouletteran have been goasd an

(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

 


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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