Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, July-December 1943 - Part 6
SERVICE DES PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE.
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
PAR AVION
Aust. - U.S.A. - Portugal
MELBOURNE
12 30PM
3 SEP
1943
VIC-AUST
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148
Stalag [383
15
Geprüft
Sgt. M. W. KESHAM
Australian Prisoner of War No. 3768 in Germany
STALAG 383 (Frueher Oflag 111 C)
GERMANY.
198 22nd Aug
AUSTRALIAN
+ A
RED CROSS
Miss D.Williams. 37 Byrnes St. Bexley. N.S.W.,
Australia.
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PRISONER OF WAR POST
NX 11067,
SGT. KESHAM, M.W.,
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768,
STALAG 383., (Frueher Oflag IIIC)
GERMANY.
AIR MAIL
RECEIVED
31 AUG 1943
AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 BYRNES STREET,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
Stalag 383
15
Geprüft
28 August, 1943.
Darling Mac-
Hullo! What are you doing with yourself
these days, soldier? Are you well - mail arriving
regularly - all the million and one questions sweet, I
won’t ask them all over again Mac, but be sure and
tell me. Since I’ve received your last batch of letters
I feel much more settled in my mind and I’m
persuading myself not to be conjuring up all sorts
of visions in my mind - horrible things. Mac dearest
I wish so much that I could wake up one morning
and find you back home in Sydney! At times it
becomes an obsession with me - imagination can
play peculiar tricks ^ on one. But this I know - one day
I will wake up and as I lie in bed a warm happy
glow will creep over my heart and I will say to myself
“to-day I’ll see Mac.” Oh-Mac-in-the-photo, smile at
me and stop playing tricks with my heart. Mac-in-
the-photo, what is he like, this Sgt., whose image you
are? Are his eyes as brown and as teasing as I’ve remembered
them these past years? I know he loves me, ‘cause
he told me - so many times - in his letters, yes, but
even before he went, I think I read it in his eyes. But
does he know I love him too, does he believe in me
along with my love? ‘Cause if he didn't, where would
I be? I would have nothing to dream of - I guess it
would shake everything I have built my ideals on.
Gosh darling how dreadfully serious I am getting! Hey
there come out of your trace! I promise I won’t go
serious on you again darl. Sometimes I forget I have
only two pages each week and start a rambling.
Mac - Bulles Head is a prisoner of war in Germany!
I had a letter from your Mother yesterday and it
was she who told me. To-night I’m going to write
to his Mother and get his address. No wonder he
hasn’t written to me, Mac. More news when I find
out details from his Mother. Jocelyn is down for a
holiday and consequently I’m feeling pretty sleepy.
Liberty Theatre on Wednesday evening, just the two
of us, skating at the Glace on Thursday night
and last night. Mum and myself went to Carlton
theatre to see a Mickey Rooney film. We’ve been
very busy at work, so you can see how tired
I’m feeling. Remember our week, and how worried
Pop was with me out - almost every night. - Darling-
that week meant so much to that kid of seventeen
& when that kid grew up, her dreams were woven round
that week and that fella. Look after yourself Mac;
say a prayer for me - for us - keep your chin up
and guard your dreams darling: Love from Mum
and Pop, Norma, Betty & George. Oh and just in case
you should see that guy, will you tell him that
that girl is very much in love with him? Thanks pal!
Dorothy
SERVICE DES PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE.
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
PAR AVION
Aust. - U.S.A. - Portugal
MELBOURNE
3:30PM
9 SEP
1943
VIC-AUST
3
PASSED
BY
CENSOR
858
Sgt. M. W. KESHAM.
Australian Prisoner of War No. 3768 in Germany.
STALAG 383 (Frueher Oflag III C)
GERMANY.
Stalag 383
15
Geprüft
AUSTRALIAN
+ A
RED CROSS
28th Aug
198
Miss D. Williams. 37 Byrnes St. Bexley. N.S.W.,
Australia.
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My Dearest Dot, 29th Aug 1943
Well darling I dont know what to say this time its a month now since Ive heard
from you, though I did get a letter from home telling me you had been called up, it may
seem strange to you Dot but I was disappointed to hear that, maybe it's because Im afraid
it may change you in some way and thats the last thing I want to happen, still thats being
silly isn't it. I can quite understand you saying in one of your letters, Ive got to have faith in
you although it was unnecessary darling, but I suppose I do make you wonder at times How
is this funny old world treating you still in the best of health and happy sweet don't forget to
stay that way will you. Give my kindest regards to everyone once more and as you should
know my love is always with you. Tell me Dot am I just the luckiest fellow going or havent
you made up your mind yet now don't tell me you dont know what Im talking about
still maybe your not to keen on being called [[?]]. I wonder but joking aside there's
nothing I want more darling you know that don't you and this is one time when Ive
got to get my own way, I could have told you all this when we were last together but I
didn't know how to start, and besides I didn't get much encouragement did I. Enclosed you
should find a photo Dot, its not a very good one but the best I can do for the present if I
can possibly get any more you will have them so keep the old fingers crossed young lady.
I expect my mail will take a bit longer to reach you now you will have to get your
Mother to send it on still better late than never so as long as you get it its ok. Well darling its
getting near the end, dont forget what Im always saying, dont worry about me, I wont change
ever, my health is the best, and our day is coming fast so just look after yourself for me
wont you Well sweet I hope I havent bored you to much repeating myself over and over in
all my letters, but you know how I feel darling, and you cant think one way and write another
Once again its the finish for now Cheerio darling and All my love to you. Mac
Kriegsgefangenpost
RD AMERIKA
Luftpost
par avion
1943-11
2 OPENED BY CENSOR
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Stalag 383
20
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An Miss D Williams
Empfangsort: 37 Byrnes Street
Straße: Bexley
Kreis: N.S.W.
Land: Australia
Landesteil (Provinz usw.)
Gebührenfreil
Absender
Vor- und Zuname: Malcolm William Keshan
Gefangenennummer: 3768 (1747)
Lager-Bezeichung: M.-Stammlager 383
Deutschland (Allemagne)
1641
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
NX 11067
SGT. KESHAM, M.W.
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768,
STALAG 383.,
GERMANY
AIR MAIL
RECEIVED
8
SEP
1943
AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS
MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 Byrnes St
BEXLEY N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
4th September, 1943
Hullo darling,
Things are very quiet here at work this afternoon so
I am taking advantage of the lull and writing you. Tonight
the girls of our club are giving a physical culture
display out at Dulwich Hill and I didn't want to
leave your letter until to-morrow because Sunday is
usually a very busy day for me. You know - all the
little things a girl has to do. Clothes to be pressed, a
stitch in this and a stitch in that - it all takes time.
Besides, I'd like to go up & have a game of tennis to-morrow
if it's nice weather. Three months since I've played
Mac - my, that's quite a while isn't it? (But look
how long three years can be). Anyhow - where were we?
Talking of tennis and weather, that's right! Spring is
here and looks like staying. This week has been really
glorious Mac. Daffodils are all around Sydney - oh for
summer though! Yesterday marked the end of the fourth
year of war - oh well sweet, it won' be much longer
now, so keep that chin high. The night before last
(that's Thursday) I paid a visit to your place & stayed
the night, going to work from there the next morning.
Crumbs Mac that young Margaret is a cute little thing.
Some of the things she says are terribly funny, coming
from such a little thing. You are going to find a big
difference in your family when you come home Mac.
Norm grown up and Fay too. Young Marg. was
only a baby when you went away wasn't she? Ah
yes, there's another person who has grown up quite
a bit since you left Australia. Only she hasn't changed
such a great deal - honest! Of course you know to
whom I'm referring: Say imagine that! I've got
so far and haven't even told you my news. Had another
letter from you Mac - it was dated 1st June, and it
came last Monday - Sept 1st. Pretty good service!
Now listen, quit worrying about that kid brother
being a worry to me. Why darling; I haven't seen
him in eight months now, and in any case, he's a
nice chap; I was going to say a nice kid, but he
wouldn't like that. You ask how tall am I? Five
feet eight inches in bare feet - how's that? Does it
meet with your approval? Cause if it doesn't, then
there'll be a row between you and little me!
Gosh darling. I wish I did have you here, even to
have a row with. Altho' I guess we wouldn't do much
rowing - at first anyhow. News is mighty scarce
around these parts this week, bus I know you
haven't minded my senseless ramblings. I wish
this blessed war would hurry up and get over
with, 'cause I'm getting lonelier every day and that's
just bad sweet. Ah well - here's hoping Mac hoping
hard to see you soon- very soon: In the meantime
you have my love - true and honest darling. See
you next week Mac - be good! All my love
Dorothy
Stalag 383
21
Geprüft
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