Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, July-December 1944 - Part 4 of 14

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Part of Quest:
Love Letters - Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams
Subject:
  • Love Letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.19
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

KRIEGSGETANGENENPOST. MSS D. WILLLANS, EEISONER OF WAR POST. 37 BYRNES STREET, 22 BEXLEY. N.S.W., NXI1067, AUSTRALLA. SGT. WALCOLN VILLLAN KESHAM AUSTRALLAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768 (1747). STALAG 383, 12th August, 1944. MIIHTE bug dearest Mac, Faiday brought we two letters from you, dated doo and a/th Apdle. Trey wese so good to get, anet. Ane thing yeu have decided peto do daaling and that is this. I'm going to wait watl yeou came hame before I staad taying to wash out iany publians. Athernice I'll be gang guey pugling aver this s tha and do dang ncbedy any sud - cestanly gat you hav. In sany of the haw saghily things that have your acmno d yun have the Brack of deing that to you and its the very apposite to what I mean to do. Mas seally and taly, do I stell tell you you shalsnrs hane dere hat, in the eld way I uesed to hrayle ea te ae e n e e oe aadling & do Sunday nifht ane again, and I have sseaked into my reucan to wite your letter en the Lus radis play starts. Iw hen a te e anen e en y he ene serying mending beadkes. I is neal anpuling has mnch tee ao te pe nedy tepealh ene intereating ane for a change. On Wearesdgy right I hat diniver wish due of the mases at her fear here in town and afteran
speort haues seanning through phetographs and yaining heis Reagan thats her name - is such a nice penson, pleasane and full of pumour. Then an Friday night I went to Remanes. That pounds hice, doesor's it? Niell it was too - it was a bisthday dinner for a consion o'mese to celebnate her 2121 bisthday. We left absur 8.30 She were about sixteen gials and hrac - inagine hav it was to have to listen to good music and not be able to dance. Taa it been elsewhere we caned have danced with each other, bus I den't like the idea of that in there. Howeves we indulged in that typically femnine pastione of watching (and conmenting) on the vesious peepee ancund us. Ulh. listen daaling - this time I do have same news. Jecelyn, my consin, is engaged to an Oir Teace lad who was stationed in hed tewn. I havent mee him and so cans day what hes like, but I hope hes a good chap - she deserves sde. he have never heard any more news of Jack, and it is paetly hand to take. Oh hac, how Awish this was isiled end. It's heen so weay long now. Still - the end is in sight and it will be weathwhele you see. Alesut the mail situation darling - I expect your letters Quell he weay iaegular naw, with the situation as it is, and no doubt, it will be the same with my letters too. Well have to do some reaging up on back letters when the waiting gets especially hand. This time the waiting will be diffedeor, fer these will be samething in neew fers bach. And mac, sne mare thing - dens compane our meeh with any other daan week I mention Theve is no compasio my dear - will you remember that. All my Rove Heasth
RISONER OF WAR POST (RIEGSGEFANGENENPOST SYDNEY 4 BSAN 1018 40510 1944 NS.W.AUS) 2AX1106/ Set Malcalor W. Resham, Adstralian D Eisoner of We No 2768 (1747) 3 Malag 383 108 urry of Meralan Heamaay
From Mss D. HILANS. 37 BycSt BCXLPYCS.1 AOSTRALIA
MSS D. WILLLANS, TSEEANORPTPON 37 Byrnes Street, MTO AIR MALL. LEY..N.S.N., AUSTRALLA. NXI1067, SOT. MALCOLM WILLLAN KESHAM. AUSTRALLAN PRISOTER OF WAR 3768 (1747), 2oth August, 1944. STALAG 383, CERUANY. Deasest Mac, I was tusked up in bed, feeling weay sesry for myself, aod Friday last, when alsing came two letters and a cand from you. The dates were partty well mised up - the cand was 28 th Manch, and the letters Tmped from 2ath Maach to and bray. Im seally thanful for that and hey letter its the sest eae Ive had for Ranetine new. I'm nos going to tack about the mrasch letter at afl gu can he neay cutting when you want to hrav. One you know senething daaling - Yalne near . Why wand you tell ane what it war Idia that you remember so distenctly? Yeu, your know hav casisus I am, too. Gliee have to think up suething to tease you ahow new But fer the precent, lets sa whats deing ancund here. I had another note yesterday - its stell kinda new this businers of being of age- Aad to wenk in the afternoon tare heare for tea, then hum, I nsted, on our way to the pistuaes. We generally go to the pictuses on Saturday night, as Ine told you (hew many times.) The pictures were. ghas- remember James Eagniy? Hei's stel geod. Mrac, do you suel have aay pectues over there + I dans suppere you do thaught I had a gead dance on Thunsday night, sweet, theny gial friend Elea & her husband wanted to ge to this dance and as Elva can's
dance, caving to a recens speration, they asked me to go along and dance wah Cam. Shal's me I aw as fill in. Ohr daaling thats wasng ofare to be eancastec, really I had a leaely dance, bud its so long since I had senchedy of any own to go wich. You know what I near. That emptyress is stell there. All to day Qne heen altening a pre-war evening daess which In ging to wear to my consins twenty finss beathday pasty next Friday night. The partys to be held at Amsay in Ackfild - you pacbably know the place? Ill he thinking of you has daaling - and Ire have a walty for you, huh. The sun is juat senking behind the houses acasss the staeet + as I haak out of hing windew eneaything is peaceful, and quiet. Things are going so well even on the other side that I really think Gence be heave within the next six months- and thatsallowing time for you to go the long way heare. As I waste a friend of imere - Im even beginning to wander what to wear. and believe ime danling were naving the hanse to cusselves, in that fist nigh. I couldors so much as say hells to you with evenyene anaund. how that things are wosking out for hs, it not only excites me - it kinda scases me. Its only natural I suppose - at you get that quven sinking feeling, too Auele my daaling its getting late and as hum is oud. I have to get Haddie sone tea. Big. Cheeais fram all the family hoe dear, + a special message, fear that tudlians goe Inow he to yours all my Cone on Dosk
PRISONER OF WAR POST KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOS SYDNEY 4 ISAN 1023 A16] 1944 NS.W.AUST AX11067. SCr Nome Walcolm William KESHAN. AustrHian Afsoner of We No 3768 (1747) D FAIAC 383 Earnery of internnent ELRNANY
From Mss. s Stet AUSFRALIA
FENUTTTOS Miss D. Williams, 37 Byrnes Street, W172. BEXLEY, N.S.N., VXI1067. AUSTRALLA. TT. MALCOLM W. KESHAM, FII FISNL O M A/S 27 August, 1944. STALAG 383, CERMANY. 80 Mug Deasent hac Beych hay - and Itised! Ine been aiding yon the traind for Your houss, so its no wender. Hidn's wand to imessent on your letter though, so wil you fergure my sesibble. Sell daaling. Tne been hearing all ahone joulygor's Cff" - by all accounts hes a neay one fellew. Eevenyare dewn there is agog with stack of the Suedding and its mather infecticus too. Shesgaing to be mannied chead month in the 23nd, and, seally and tanly, She's way upon the clands even new. Jpsh we had a giod week-end - yaud say we two snead cagng if you inly heanrd us to geter. The lease litte thing would staat us off - and we talked until twelve o'cloch. You knew, as leng as Im with Bub I fuel good, perhaps because She reminds ime of m yeuth. I never imessed a sister while I haa Bule to tell all my itnendles too coumbs its going to he a sad husiness seeing her getting manaced. And dane you laugh and day weadings anens sad! Toe dear - how are yeu. Iwasenly thinking as I havand up the hile to night to wsite your letter, this may inst reach you while you are in camp You might he released eve it ansives Aoulant that he great, Mrac. Im ceading you a photo which I had back this week
and I hope that youll like it my dasling. See the little men in the rake I told you aloud them if you remember. Rusing the mad I has a phale call from your huother and shis coming snd to see me ere Sunday afternaen seen. ho matter haw pilue Im faling your Mather neven fails to cheer me up - she's swert thae he wander youse such a nice pensen daaling, with you family Mac, if you were here now Ia hasnsw a couple of matchstisks to prop open my eyes - lind then, on second thoughts, if you were here I warleding he waiting to you, and I most certainly wnsuldor's need aayning to keep me awake. Ahmy Mac - we have waited so long, and now and day is almost here. I stell won'd let myself dwell oor the day you retuan, cause my heart hegirs playing taicks and its inst so good. Yust listen! Late do it is Theris plas Mss. oo the wincters played as a sels, on the clagianc - gish its sweet. To hav, what are you doing so far away, when there's sueet music playing and Im in such a contented sisod. What are you doing even there as all I wonder will I meceive ssme more macl frlm you - ar will it he held up. If it means youne caming heme sssner, then I wan'd mind my sued. just so lang as you husay. I will he warting to open the frent dosr as you came in the gate + Irsmise mne you went laugh if I have darling. I wan you beforehand as a antainty that I will havel. Well moe deared, I'm going off to hed now, hud before I go - take case of yoursef, wad faid And keep up your chind - it man's he may much langer dow dead. Rinders regands frem all the family and - to you - from me All my dae. You Gpand soon will be to gether. Donschy

KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST. 
PRISONER OF WAR POST. 
NX11067, 
SGT. MALCOLM WILLIAM KESHAM, 
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768 (1747), 
STALAG 383, 
GERMANY. 

AIR MAIL 

MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 BYRNES STREET,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA. 
13th August, 1944 

My dearest Mac, 
Friday brought me two letters from you, dated 20th and 
27th April. They were so good to get, sweet. One thing you have 
decided me to do darling and that is this: I'm going to wait 
until you come home before I start trying to work out my 
problems. Otherwise I'll be going grey puzzling over this & that. 
And it's doing nobody any good - certainly not you, Mac. I'm 
sorry if I've been saying things that hurt you - seems I just 
have the knack of doing that to you and it's the very opposite 
to what I mean to do. Mac - really and truly, do I still tell you 
"You shouldn't have done that", in the old way I used to? Maybe 
I had better start a strict censorship of my letters, huh? Well 
darling- it's Sunday night once again, and I have sneaked into my 
bedroom to write your letter ere the Lux radio play starts. I've been 
so busy to-day, cleaning out the drawers in my bedroom and 
tidying & mending clothes. It's really surprising how much time 
can be spent on trivial things. The past week has been an 
interesting one - for a change. On Wednesday night I had dinner 
with one of the nurses at her flat here in town and afterwards

 

spent hours scanning through photographs and yarning. Miss Reagan
- that's her name - is such a nice person, pleasant and full of 
humour. Then on Friday night I went to Romano's. That sounds
nice, doesn't it? Well it was too - it was a birthday dinner for 
a cousin o'mine' to celebrate her 21st birthday. We left about 8.30.
The were about sixteen girls and Mac - imagine how it was to 
have tolisten to good music and not be able to dance. 
Had it been elsewhere we could have danced with each 
other, but I don't like the idea of that in there. However 
we indulged in that typically feminine pastime of watching 
(and commenting) on the various people around us. Uh, 
listen darling- this time I do have some news. Jocelyn, 
my cousin, is engaged to an Air Force lad who was 
stationed in her town. I haven't met him and so can't 
say what he's like, but I hope he's a good chap - she deserves 
one. We have never heard any more news of Jack, and 
it is pretty hard to take. Oh Mac, how I wish this 
war would end. It's been so very long now. Still- the end 
is in sight and it will be worthwhile, you see. About the mail 
situation darling - I expect your letters will be very irregular 
now, with the situation as it is, and no doubt, it will be 
the same with my letters too. We'll have to do some reading 
up on back letters when the waiting gets especially hard. 
This time the waiting will be different, for there will be 
something in view for us both. And Mac, one more thing - don't 
compare our week with any other damn week I mention. There 
is no comparison my dear - will you remember that? All my Love Dorothy

 

PRISONER OF WAR POST 
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST 

BY AIR MAIL 
PAR AVION 

SYDNEY 
4 15AM 
10 18 AUG 10 
1944 
N.S.W. AUST. 

Stalag 383 
7 
Geprűft 

Rank NX11067, Sgt. 
Name - Malcolm W. Kesham, 
Australian Prisoner of War No. - 3768 (1747) 
Camp - Stalag 383 
Country of Internment - Germany 

198 

13th Aug 44 

3 Opened by Censor 

3 
PASSED 
BY 
CENSOR 
103

 

From Miss D. WILLIAMS, 
37 Byrnes St., 
BEXLEY, N.S.W. 
AUSTRALIA 

3 Opened by Censor

 

KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST. 
PRISONER OF WAR POST. 
NX11067, 
SGT. MALCOLM WILLIAM KESHAM, 
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768 (1747), 
STALAG 383, 
GERMANY. 

AIR MAIL 

MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 BYRNES STREET,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA. 

20th August, 1944 

Dearest Mac, 
I was tucked up in bed, feeling very sorry for myself, on 
Friday last, when along came two letters and a card from you. 
The dates were pretty well mixed up- the card was 28th March, 
and the letters jumped from 26th March to 2nd May. I'm really 
thanful for that 2nd May letter - its the nicest one I've had for 
sometime now. I'm not going to talk about the March letter at all. 
You can be very cutting when you want to Mac. Do you know 
something darling- you're mean! Why won't you tell me what it was 
I did that you remember so distinctly? Gee, you know how curious 
I am, too. I'll have to think up something to tease you about now. 
But for the present, lets see what's doing around here. I had another 
note yesterday - it's still kinda new this business of being "of age". 
Had to work in the afternoon - tore home for tea, then Mum & I 
voted, on our way to the pictures. We generally go to the pictures on 
Saturday night, as I've told you (how many times?). The pictures 
were good - remember James Cagney? He's still good. Mac, do you 
ever have any pictures over there? I don't suppose you do though. 
I had a good dance on Thursday night, sweet. My girl friend, Elva 
and her husband wanted to go to this dance and as Elva can't

 

dance, owing to a recent operation, they asked me to go along 
and dance with Sam. That's me - I act as fill in. Oh 
darling that's wrong of me to be sarcastic, really I had a
lovely dance, but its so long since I had somebody of my own 
to go with. You know what I mean. That emptyness is still 
there. All to-day I've been altering a pre-war evening dress 
which I'm going to wear to my cousin's twentyfirst birthday 
party next Friday night. The party's to be held at "Amsey" 
in Ashfield- you probably know the place? I'll be thinking 
of you Mac darling-and I'll have a waltz for you, huh? 
The sun is just sinking behind the houses across the street & 
as I look out of my window everything is peaceful and 
quiet. Things are going so well over on the other side that I 
really think you'll be home within the next six months - and 
that's allowing time for you to go the "long way" home. As I wrote 
a friend of mine - I'm even beginning to wonder "what to wear". 
And believe me darling- we're having the house to ourselves, 
on that first night. I couldn't so much as say "hello" to you, 
with everyone around. Now that things are working out for 
us, it not only excites me - it kinda scares me. It's only 
natural I suppose - do you get that queer sinking feeling too? 
Well my darling it's getting late and as Mum is out. I have 
to get Daddie some tea. Big Cheerio from all the family 
Mac dear, & a special message from that brilliant gal. From 
me to you- All my Love - Dorothy

 

PRISONER OF WAR POST 
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST 

BY AIR MAIL 
PAR AVION 

SYDNEY 
4 15AM 
10 23 AUG 10 
1944 
N.S.W. AUST. 

Stalag 383 
4 
Geprűft 

3 Opened by Censor 

Rank NX11067, SGT 
Name Malcolm William KESHAM, 
Australian Prisoner of War No. 3768 (1747) 
Camp STALAG 383, 
Country of Internment GERMANY 

20th Aug 44 

198 

3 
PASSED 
BY 
CENSOR 
299 

 

From Miss 
37 Byrnes Street, 
BEXLEY, N.S.W. 
AUSTRALIA 

3 Opened by Censor 

 

KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST. 
PRISONER OF WAR POST. 
NX11067, 
SGT. MALCOLM WILLIAM KESHAM, 
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768 (1747), 
STALAG 383, 
GERMANY. 

AIR MAIL 

MISS D. WILLIAMS
37 BYRNES STREET,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA. 

Stalag 383 
21 
Geprűft 
27th August, 1944 

My Dearest Mac - 
Boy oh boy - am I tired! I've been riding in the train for 
four hours, so its no wonder. Didn't want to miss out on your 
letter though, so will you forgive my scribble? Well darling, I've 
been hearing all about Jocelyn's "Cliff" - by all accounts, he's 
a very nice fellow. Everyone down there is agog with talk of 
the wedding and it's rather infectious too. She's going to be married 
next month on the 23rd, and, really and truly, she's way up in 
the clouds even now. Gosh we had a good week-end - you'd say 
we two were crazy if you only heard us to-gether. The least little 
thing would start us off - and we talked until twelve o'clock. 
You know, as long as I'm with Bub I feel good, perhaps because 
she reminds me of my "youth". I never missed a sister while 
I had Bub to tell all my "troubles" too - crumbs it's going to 
be a sad business seeing her getting married. And don't you 
laugh and say weddings aren't sad! Mac dear - how are you? 
I was only thinking, as I hurried up the hill to-night to write 
your letter, - this may not reach you while you are in camp. 
You might be released ere it arrives. Wouldn't that be great, 
Mac? I'm sending you a photo which I had back this week

 

and I hope that you'll like it my darling. See the little men 
on the yoke - I told you about them if you remember. During 
the week I had a phone call from your Mother and she's coming 
out to see me one Sunday afternoon soon. No matter how blue 
I'm feeling your Mother never fails to cheer me up - she's sweet Mac. 
No wonder you're such a nice person darling, with your family. 
Mac, if you were home now I'd borrow a couple of matchsticks to prop 
open my eyes - but then, on second thoughts, if you were here I wouldn't 
be writing to you, and I most certainly wouldn't need anything to keep me 
awake. Oh my Mac - we have waited so long, and now our day is 
almost here. I still won't let myself dwell on the day you return, 'cause 
my heart begins playing tricks and its not so good. Just listen! Late 
as it is - there's "Star Dust" on the wireless played as a solo on the 
clarinet - gosh it's sweet. Ho hum, what are you doing so far away, when 
there's sweet music playing and I'm in such a contented mood? 
What are you doing over there at all! I wonder will I receive some more 
mail from you - or will it be held up. If it means you're coming 
home sooner, then I won't mind my sweet. Just so long as you hurry. 
I will be waiting to open the front door as you come in the gate & 
promise me you won't laugh if I howl darling. I warn you beforehand 
it's a certainty that I will howl. Well Mac dearest, I'm going off 
to bed now, but before I go - take care of yourself, won't you. 
And keep up your chin - it won't be very much longer now dear. 
Kindest regards from all the family and - to you - from - me 
- All my Love. God Grant soon we'll be to-gether. Dorothy 

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