Letters of David Francis Smith, January-June 1941 - Part 3

No 4
VX 25593.
WO^II. D.F.Smith. A.I.F
8^th. Divisional Signals
Abroad
21. 2. 40.
My Darling Rene
You should know by the 
time you get this, that we have arrived
in Malaya safely, as I had one of
the boys send a cable for me yesterday,
sincerely hope that it didnt take as
long as the one we sent Bill at Xmas.
Came over on the Queen
Mary & had a very good trip, but
was glad in a way when it was over,
the trip itself wasn't very interesting
We were landed at Singapore
then came inland to this place by
train. The town is of a fair size, population,
as you would guess are mainly Chinese &
Malays, should find it very interesting
when I start to have a look around.
Our quarters are all that you could wish 
for, they are very comfortable.

.2.
The quality of the rations is not in the
same street as those we have been used to,
the quantity is all right but no
variety. Didnt get a look at Singapore
on our way through, but hope to do so
before we leave here, as I believe that it is
a great place. wish that we had been 
left there.
The climate up to the present has 
not been too bad, not as hot as I expected
it to be, not too different from the N.T. so if
it stays this way, we will have no growls.
Right now, mosquitoes seem pretty rare, but
I fully expect that there will be quite a 
few later on, its a bit strange getting under
a net again.
As far as we are concerned this 
mail business hasnt started to function yet.
I have been looking forward for a letter
or so from you, but up to date have
been badly disappointed, surely I'll get
one very shortly.
This currency seems a bit strange,
Dollars & Cents. a dollar = 2/11 in Aust coins.

.3.
The coins are:- 1 Cent (Square), 5. 10. & 20 cents, like
3. 6 & 1/- as regards size; notes as far as I can
gather, are 5, 10, 20, 25 & 50 Cents, 1 & 5 dollars,
makes you think that you are in the 
money with so many notes, they are only
about ½the size of our notes.
We are starting to settle down a bit
now, am hoping to get a decent look around
the town very shortly, so may have a 
bit more to write next letter.
Address my letters. 8^th Divisional
Signals, Australian Imperial Forces.
Abroard.
How are things in general with 
you & all at home, hoping to hear that
you are all O.K, & that you are able 
to [[put?]] your time in, am afraid it will
be hard after the novelty of this place wears
off, xxx  fill in our time.
I'll let you make the choice
next time, your judgement is a long way
a head of mine.
Well Love cant write much more
at present, maybe I'll do better when I get
[*one to answer. Regards to all at home [[?]]*]
[*Cheers
With all my Love & Kisses
Frank x x x x x x x *]

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL
FORCE
PASSED BY CENSOR
349
M^rs. D. F. Smith
c/o M^rs. H. Watts
Symonds St.
Queenscliff.
Victoria
Australia

Back of envelope - see original document.

VX 25593
WO^II. D. F. Smith
8^th. Division Signals
A. I. F.
ABROAD
16 - 3 - 41
My Darling Rene
Your most welcome arrived
yesterday, no need to tell you how 
pleased I was, only thing I have to look
forward to these days. Glad to hear
that you & all at home are O.K.
Thank Ma for the page
she included, was rather a surprise.
Took me a whole to wake up to whom
it was from, will answer it during the
week.

A load of back mail arrived
today, wont effect me any, but there
should be a few home papers among the
boys now, will be very nice to read of the
doings down below.
Things are just the same here
with us. I went over to a dinner at
the Volunteer Forces Mess on Friday night,
was rather a good turn out, its the only

.2.
time that I've been out for the week.
I don't care much about going out these 
days.
I saw young Powell yesterday.
he said that he had written home, so
they should have it by this, if you see
any of them you can let them know that
he is keeping well, he seems to think
that his Dad may be coming up around
this way.
Your letter posted on the 9^th
arrived here on the 15^th, so theres nothing 
wrong with that is there.
Ma seems to be a bit anxious
about Ken said he turned 30 the other day,
& that it was time he was going off,
reckons he & Dorothy may make a match.
Evidently Nudger & Co arrived
safely, they would be rather pleased when 
they received his cable.
Am afraid you would have
to look hard to find me among any of
the photos you see in the paper. I'd
be well in the background as usual,
Noel is going to take a few of me

4
a good day in the city.  you should
have stayed the week-end with Mabel,
I wouldnt mind doing a show at the 
"Tiv".
Those Photos cost a fair bit hope
its not long before I get hold of one.
How did Mabel get on with
her interview with that firm in town.
suppose she has the job by now.
Sorry I forgot to tell you the
watch is going O.K., am afraid leather
bands wont last long in this climate
they rot very quickly. mines O K up to 
date.
Have had a few invitations
to go & have a look at a rubber plantation
will go on one of these days should be
interesting
Well Sweetheart its pretty hard
to find any news to tell you, so Id better
finish this off.
"cheerio"
With all my Love & Kisses
Frank x x x x x x x
Regards to Ma Pa & Mabel.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE
BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
PASSED BY
CENSOR
No. 2780
C. C. Johnstone
M^rs. D. F. Smith
c/o M^rs. H. Watts
Symonds St.
Queenscliff
Victoria
Australia
 

VX 25593. W.O^II. D. F. Smith
8^th Divisional Signals
Q. I.F.
Malaya