Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, July-December 1943 - Part 8

15th Sept, 1942
Dearest Dot,
Hullo sweet by the way I was that pleased with myself I forgot to mention the dates on
your last batch of letters they are May 1st 8th 22nd 29th and June 6th telling me all about your new job. I'm
glad you like it darling is it still going all right?  I notice this word pal creeping into your letters a lot
lately sweet, it just don't sound right somehow, you even refer to yourself as my pal, and you are more
than a pal to me darling you know that don't you.  Well darling I have 18 photos of you now and I'm still looking
forward to getting more, and don't call me greedy.  I'm not, honest. It's just that I love you so much, fancy
asking me if I liked your photos, now what do you think darling.  I'm afraid I can't tell you exactly what
my plans are for when I get back you see a lot depends on a certain young lady called Dorothy Williams
that's where the trouble starts sweetheart. I want to change her name so now you see how it is. Say now 
don't go worrying about me, I'm ok, in the best of health and all that, and as for writing well if I just
had to tell you over and over again how much I loved you to fill them, I'd do it, and even the risk of
you getting mad at me. You say some funny things at times darling, such as think of you, though I
must admit I only do it 24 hours a day. I can't do anything else you are always on my mind Dot. I
will enclose another photo an old one mind you, that one of the last I had taken hope you like it. It's
not much use me trying to tell you when I will be back with you darling, you are in a better position
to know that than I, still darling it can't be far away now so we both just have to keep on hoping
for the time being.  Well darling it never rains but it pours I've just had two more of your letters
June 12th 18th to say nothing of another beautiful photo.  I don't know what to say darling you have
me speechless,  you're such a grand person, I just can't find words to express myself, please try to understand
me darling I guess I make a pretty poor job of these letters, but it's just that I have so much to say to
you which I find impossible to write, and when you have to keep these things to yourself it does not help
any darling.  Anyway sweet I'm happy now that I have some more mail I only hope you have
been as lucky as I.  Give my kindest regards to everyone and All my love to you sweet "Cheerio" Mac

Kriegsgefangenenpost
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Stalag 383
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Gebuhrentreil
Miss D Williams
37 Byrnes Street, Bexley
N. S. W
Empfangsort:  Australia
StraBe: C/o Australia House
Kreis:  London W. C. R.
Land:  England
Landesteil (Provinz usw.)
 
2 OPENED BY CENSOR
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Malcolm William Keshan
Gefangenennummer: 3768 (1747)
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager 383
Deutschland (Allemagne)

KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
NX 11067,
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
19th September 1943 

Dearest Mac,
Well you've got a pretty sick girl friend darling.
Right now, I'm not so bad, but about three days
ago I had a tooth extracted and since then I've been
awake each night with the pain of my jaw. Thank
goodness that seems to have let up somewhat and I'm
just feeling dopey from lack of sleep and somewhat
'nervy'. However don't let it worry you, for by this time
next week, no doubt I'll be wondering what it was all
about! Well sweet, there hasn't been any more letters
or cards from you lately and believe me, I miss them
after the way they have been rolling in. Yes I told
you I would be spoilt, didn't I? Through the week
I received a post card from your mother, holidaying
in Canberra. We were hoping to see young Louis
soon, but it seems unlikely now for awhile: Believe
he's been doing very well in his examinations Mac.
Talking of examinations - I have been reading in the
papers of how war prisoners in Germany are able to
study various subjects in their spare time: And of
course I was wondering if you did anything of this
kind. I would be a good and a useful way of passing

the time; and might possibly be of some advantage to you after this
war is all over.  Still, I guess you have all that figured out.
Please don't think me an old sticky-beak darling. You know,
I really envy you one thing anyhow - the thrill you're going to get
when you sail through Sydney Heads and know you're really
back home again: Personally I have some thrills I'm going to
get myself seeing you - looking into your eyes after so long a
time - watching you grin your crooked, teasing grin - all the
joys of having you back home again: Gosh, I still cannot decide
whether or not I'm going to wait at home for you or meet you
at wherever you land. I couldn't bear not to be there and catch
a first glimpse of you and yet I want to have you all alone to
say our first 'hello': What do you reckon Mac - which shall I do?
Life over here is as usual sweet. Had a visit from my little God child
Dianne, today. She gets fatter every day and she's the cutest little thing
when she cries. I could squeeze her so tightly - but I might hurt
her, 'cause she's only little. Forgot to tell you Mac. When I was
over at your place last, I went round to see Ray's wife and
his little boy. Gee he's the nicest little thing. Unfortunately he was
asleep when first I saw him but next time I'll catch him awake.
'Big cheerio' for this week dearest you, regards from the folks and all
my love, Dorothy. 

SERVICE DES PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE.
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
PAR AVION
Aust. -U.S.A - Portugal
 Stalag 383
3
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Sgt. M. W. Kesham
Australian Prisoner of War No. 3768 in Germany
Stalag 383 (Frueher Oflag III C)
Germany
 
19th Sept 43
 
AUSTRALIAN
RED CROSS

Miss D. Williams, 37 Byrnes Street, Bexley
N.S.Wales, Australia
 
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22nd Sept 1943
Hullo Darling,
Believe it or not Ive had another letter from you 24th June this time. I don't think I miss
many of your letters Dot Ive had 26 for this year so far and thats not to bad is it. I suppose you are wondering
why Im always complaining, but I'd still be the same if I got one a day. I was pleased to hear that
some of my mail has started to arrive at least. I like to know you are getting mine just the same as I like
getting yours, up to date I've sent in for this year I hope you get them all darling. How are you sweetheart
everything going all right still well and happy now don't forget what Im always telling you will you darling
and don't worry about us changing Dot if we have its only for the better, we both know how we feel now
and that's the main thing darling but in case your a bit doubtful Dot I still love you, more than ever
and I still want you to marry me have you made up your mind yet darling. remember a long
time ago you received a letter from me darling, my first it was and although you were pretty
mad at me you answered it; well its certainly earned you a pile of trouble darling just the one
little better. gosh I had to be careful in those days it must be funny when you read some of these and
compare them with these. Thanks for the birthday greetings Dot I didn't have a nice day, how
could I without you darling, all I do is think of you and the good times we are going to have one 
of these days and until those day Dot we just have to try and be patient and hopefully wont be
long. Well darling everything is much the same over here. Ive got a bit of a cold at present but otherwise
Im in the pink and if only I was curled up in front of the fire with you, listening to the wireless Id
be perfectly happy. Id even be content to sit and watch you write your letters darling, but I wouldnt
garantee not to interrupt you, believe me darling Im going to be hard to get rid of when I get back, so dont
say I didnt warn you. I feel rotten darling all I want to do is please you, do something to make
you happy if I could do anything I wouldnt mind, but its rotten just sitting here and thinking about
these things I guess its just that I miss you and love you so very much darling and I wont change
always remember that sweet I give my best wishes to all. Cheerio for the present All my love Mac.

Kriegsgefangenenpost
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Stalag 383
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Gebuhrentreil

Miss D Williams
37 Byrnes Street,
Bexley.  N. S. W
Empfangsort: Australia
Strabe: c/o Australia House
Kreis: London W G 2
Land: ENGLAND
Landesteil (Provinz usw.)

2 OPENED BY CENSOR

Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Malcolm William Kesham
Gefangenennummer: 3768 (1747)
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager 383
Deutschland (Allemagne)

KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
NX 11067,
SGT. KESHAM M.W.
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768
STALAG 383,
GERMANY
 
AIR MAIL
Stalag 383
23
Geprüft
 
RECEIVED
1 OCT 1943
AUSTRALIAN
RED CROSS
 
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
26th September, 1943.

Hullo darling -
It's been a glorious day to-day - full of spring sunshine
and warm breezes. Just the kind to set a person a'thinking
of swimming, more swimming and still more swimming. Right now
you are no doubt experiencing cool weather once again. Won't
you be really happy when your seasons right themselves
once again? How are you Mac sweet? Been behaving
yourself as I tell you? I don't think I'm crazy because I
speak that way - you should know what I mean by
behaving. Say Mac - remember the party I was going to
have, to celebrate my 21st birthday? Will I've decided to
postpone is until this war is finished and all the gang gets
back. Otherwise is would be too blessed sad. Jocelyn came
down this week-end, but I only saw her for a few minutes.
Somehow we seem to be drifting apart and yet I cannot
put my finger on anything definite and so put a stop to
it. Maybe if we could get onto some horses and go for a
long ride we'd be able to talk it out. We always did our
best bit of yarning on horseback. However I'm not going to
worry about it things will work out. Just as things will
work out for you and I. Gosh we two will have some
time to make up, dearest! Even the simplest little outing
will hold special significance for us. And listen, Mac-

If sometimes my letters may sound forced an dull, put
it down to the fact that nothing very exciting is happening
here, or if anything does, it is of the kind I can’t
mention. O.K? Then don’t forget work is still pretty good sweet
lots of laughs. Of late tho', not much to
do. A little of slackness is acceptable but here’s hoping
we speed up again, mighty soon. Time on your hands
means too much thinking and that means the blues,
mostly. Mac - the azaleas are out in the gardens and
they’re a truly wonderful sight. You will be home for
next year's, darling, won’t you? Heck, If I only knew
is would be another five, or six or a definite number
of months, I’d be able to count them off and feel so much
happier. When I was a kid, I remember how
time would drag from one Christmas to another.
Waiting for you to come home has made it seem
a thousand times worse. George asked me to say
‘hello’ to you for him, in his last letter. He’s always
teasing me about you darling. I soon quieten him down
tho’ - give him one long look and bring up the subject
of how he sat that night and talked to you. And you
know! I can still get mad when I think about
that! Gee, in some ways it seems only last night
Mac, - then I get to thinking, and it becomes three
lifetimes instead of three years. Never mind sweet;
We’re lucky in that, if we start looking around at
some other folks. So keep the old chin up Mac
and say a prayer for us now & then. From all
the folks at home- kindest regards. From me - all my
Love, darling. Dorothy.