Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, July-December 1943 - Part 16
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My Dearest Dot, 12th Dec 1943
Well and hows my Dorothy going these days, in the best of spirits and health I hope, give
her my love, and tell her there is someone way over here thats always thinking of her, and only
waiting for the day when he can be with her always, and not for just one week. I suppose your
saying to yourself, yes Ive heard all that before, but my minds full of you these days Dot and
when I start to write my thoughts just naturally find there way into my letters, even if in a
round about way at times. You probably wonder also when I talk about your friends from
overseas, but darling its hard to find that they are taking you places and paying you all those
nameless little attentions which somehow however unreasonable I had bought myself to
think were my right and no one else's to pay, so if I sound unreasonable at times, just dont take
any notice will you. I received another letter from you yesterday ... somehow it ...
ed different than your usual, Dot, but it was just as good as ever, you would be surprised at
the little things I notice in your letters sweet. So you want to know if five feet eight inches in
your bare feet meets with my approval, need you ask no one meets with my approval more
than you do, in any way. Maybe you thought I was joking when I said I wanted to marry you
Dot, or did you just take it with a grain of salt, you couldnt have taken it serious or you
wouldnt be asking if you meet with my approval. Dont forget to keep up the old tennis
Dot, you will have to teach me all those things over again when I get back sweet, tennis
dancing, skating, riding the whole lot, what sort of a pupil do you reckon Id make,
ok, or maybe you wont be able to spare the time, I guess. Ill just have to hope forthe best. Give
my best wishes to everyone once more. Well Dot there's nothing new happening here its
a bit cold at time otherwise everything is just the same. Im still the same, no changes, in
the best of health, and missing you more than ever, still I think things are drawing to a
finish at last, so keep the old fingers crossed. Cherrio as always. All my Love Mac
Kriegsgefangenenpost
21.12.43.-11
An Miss D. Williams
37 Byrnes Street.
Bexley N. S. W
Empfangsort: Australia
Strasse: C/o Australia House
Kreis: London WC2
Land: England
Landesteil (Provinz usw.)
Gebuhrenfreil
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Malcolm William Kesham
Gefangenennummer: 3768 (1747)
Lager-Bezeichnung: M. Stammlager 383
Deutschland (Allemagne)
Dearest Dot, 19th Dec 1943
Yesterday my luck was good once again, and I had a letter from you 19th Sept you
had a pretty bad jaw at the time sweet, I dont know if my ideas are queer or not Dot but when
I heard about that I was mad because I wasn't there to comfort you, and if I had been there
I expect I'd have only made you worse trust me. I guess that young kid brother of mine must
have all the brains Dot, I must be the dumbell of the family, anyhow Ive already told you
about the studying I do, but I have done a bit off and on, but I cant seem to stick it, Ive tried
several different subjects but as far as I can see there is nothing that would actually be
of use to me later, but then you can never know to much, or can you, but anyhow the
studies here are more for improving the knowledge you already have, than for teaching
you ...ing you ... As you were saying Dot it certainly will be [[?]]
when we sail through the Heads, and must get on land I wont even get in a ferry in case it
should go outside again still Dot I know what I looking forward to most, our reunion
sweet, and as for you not knowing where to meet me, well you know what Ive always said
I want to see you as soon as possible, and I don't expect to feel so hot myself walking off the
boat and knowing the one person you really want to see wont be there to greet you, but as
long as I know I'll be able to have you all to myself a little later to say our hello I
won't mind, honest darling if you walked up to me at the boat with a crowd of relations etc
well I just wouldn't know what to do, and it would probably finish up by them saying I was
very rude for ignoring them, no Dot its got to be just you and I. As each day passes darling
as my love for you increases, and well Im just living for that day Dot so you see its just got to go
right, and it will, what can I say that will make you fully realise how I feel Dot, my feelings
are such that I just cant find words to express them, and if I say I love you well thats just
putting it mild. I'm afraid the ends here once more, sorry to finish so sudden. All my love, Mac.
ŰBER NORD AMERIKA
Kriegsgeuabgebeboist
Luftpost
par avion 29.12.43.-11
An Miss D Williams
Empfangsort: 37 Byrnes Street
Strasse: Bexley STAMP Stalag 383
Kreis: N S. W 16
Land: AUSTRALIA Geprũft
Landesteil (Provinz usw.)
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Malcolm William Kesham
Gefangenennummer: 3768 (1707)
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager 383
Deutschland (Allemagne)
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
NX11067,
SGT. KESHAM, M.W.,
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768,
STALAG 383, GERMANY.
AIR MAIL
MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
20th December, 1943
My Darling,
Hello! What are you doing? Finished for the day.
and lying on your bed - or where are you? I have two, no,
three letters from you, to be answered. They are dated 1st Oct.,
10th Sept., and 29th Aug. Your photo arrived also, the one of you
on the horse, in front of the Sphinx. It's such a nice one
darling; I only wish it were a shade bigger, so I could see
you more clearly - however, the same smile is there, that
I love so very much. Gosh sweet, it makes me smile
when I read of your rehearsing "our night". We'll probably
be so shy - or will we? Still it is nice, wondering &
planning. As for Pop - well, he's pretty used to the
idea by this (he's certainly had more time than most
Fathers, don't you think?). I understand how you feel Mac,
when you say, 'its got to be just you & I', but darling;
Im' just sure I couldn't keep away from the boat, or train,
or whatever you arrive on. I'll probably go down, see you
arrive and duck away again - only I'm not promising any-
thing now 'cause Id' be sure to change my mind and
dash up to you Mac. My job is going along beautifully Mac.
The people are so grand to work with, the job itself
is immensely interesting and although its pretty busy,
I am happy at it and that's half the battle. So no worrying
from you on that score m 'lad'. As you can see by the photo
I'm enclosing - I'm as healthy as a young horse. Thats' my
physi costume I have on - Pop took the snap one Sunday, in the
backyard. Hope you like it darling. What do you think -
I paid a visit to our old building during the week. They
were showing a film there, which we all had to see. Riding
up in the lift, after such a long time, took me back to the
old days and the fun we had then. I could almost see you
there beside me Mac and it was such a nice feeling.
It is hard to believe that this time next week will' see
Christmas here once again. Gosh how time does fly! This
will be your fourth Christmas away from home. Let us
pray you'll be home ere the next one arrive's. I am so
very sure that you will be Mac, so keep that there
chin o' yours 'way 'way up. By now you'll no doubt know
that I am still at home - I wasn't called up in the
manner you thought, but I can explain it all when I
see you, dear. You with the steady brown eyes - the crooked
grin and the tender ways - you are the one I love. May
God protect you and guide you this coming year and
bring you home quickly and safely to me. Until we
meet again - you have my love Mac. Take care of
yourself sweet and don't worry now. Big Cheerio
Dorothy.
PRISONER OF WAR POST AIR MAIL
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
Rank & Name SGT. KESHAM, M. W.
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR No. 3768.
Camp STALAG 383.
Country of Internment GERMANY
20th Dec 44
From MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA.
3 Opened by Censor
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
NX11067,
SGT. KESHAM, M.W.,
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768,
STALAG 383, GERMANY.
AIR MAIL
MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
Christmas Day.
Dearest Mac,
If it wasn't going to sound rather late, I'd say
"Merry Xmas" to you, but in March or April, it would
not be quite the thing to say. What did you do for
Xmas darling? - did you have a good time - good
things to eat and all that sort of thing? I'd better
just tell you all about my Christmas because more than
likely you'll tell me all the news of yours in your
letter. So I'll have to be patient and wait three months
for your Christmas letter. Well it was a beaut hot day
to-day, as it generally is on Christmas Day. After the
usual look at what Santa had brought, Norma and
George and I went off to Church before lunch. Then
Christmas dinner - with everyone but me finding
something in the pudding - and then everyone including
myself making for the lounge to recover. Believe me
it was some Christmas Dinner Mac. Oh yes, I had a
piece of pudding for you - you missed out on the
threepences too, sweet. And now as the day is drawing
to a close, very soon I'll be packing my suitcase in
readiness for to-morrow's trip down to see my cousin
Jocelyn. Maybe we'll ride over to see my Valley,
whilst I'm down that way. But that is to-morrow
and just now I'm thinking of someone who's so far
away from me. Wonder what he's doing - what
he is thinking about. There is no need to wonder if
he is missing me because he always writes that he
would like to see me and say 'Hello' - sometimes he
tells me he loves me, but even if he misses out
a couple of times, it's there nevertheless, in between
the lines, tucked away in some ordinary sentence.
Then I can shut my eyes and reach back those
years and see him that night on the verandah
just before he left. You threw down your kit bag,
remember darling - and came over to me. My throat
was sorta tight and all I could think of to say was
to be sure and write often and to take care of
yourself and all those stupid things people say when
moments are so scarce. (Even now your face is clear, -
with your smile.) Best of all I like thinking about
the day when you'll be coming back - and I can
see you smile again. That's my wish this Christmas.
Uh well I'd better stop dreaming and get my packing
done - I have lots to do in the morning. So Good-
night my Mac. Keep well, sweet, won't you. Keep
up your chin and remember always that we're
missing you and waiting eagerly to see your face
again. All here at home send Best Wishes
Mac. I gave your Mother your Love for Xmas,
as I said I would. I was out there the night
before - lets see Tuesday it was. However I'll tell
you of that in my next letter. I have to close now.
Big Cheerio dearest - all my love. Dorothy
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