Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, 1945 - Part 2 of 10
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KRIEGSGEFANGENENGPOST
PRISONER OF WAR POST
NX11067,
Sgt. Malcolm W Kesham,
Australian Prisoner of War 3768 FS.306. 4 March, 1945
Stalag 383,
Germany
AIR MAIL
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
Hello darling,
This is me. (As if you didn’t know!) This week I am a very
disappointed fisherwoman. Norma, George Maddie and myself went fishing
this morning - as, wait a moment, while I tell you why we didn't
catch any fish. It was pretty hard getting out of bed first of all - 'cause
I went to the local picture show last night and was awfully sleepy.
So, we got down too late to hire a boat at Tom Ugly's - had to wait
until 1 pm. O.K. - so we sat down and fished from the jetty - which was
plain stupid cause I lost my bait at least a dozen times in the sea - weed
nearby. I soon had enough of that so Norma & I got the lunch ready
and lunch kept us occupied until 1pm. Blow it all - when we could
have got a boat a storm blew up and made the sea too rough! So, we
came home - minus any blessed fish. Still, it was a good sitting
in the sun this morning and the drive in the car was awfully nice.
Wait a minute.! Listen - I don't know what to do about this family
of mine! Do you know what - as I was writing this I heard "Miss
Johnson 'Phoned again today" being whistled. That's the song Dad
always whistles (heaven knows how it started) whenever there is any mail
from you. Being Sunday, I thought I was imagining things - but
sure enough, the mean things had two letters - 1 letter & 1 card rather
& had them since yesterday morning. Were keeping them longer to
surprise me 'cause I wouldn't be expecting them on a Sunday. Well,
as a matter of fact I think it's wonderful - in the middle of a letter to
you and here is one back from you. Our conversation became, for a moment,
a two-way type and darling - it was wonderful. The date your letter bore
was 10th Oct 1944 and the card the same date. But oh Mac - that letter was
such a sad sac. Come over close while I give you a tight hug and make
you feel better. That better? Don't ever get so sad on me again sweetheart.
I didn't man to rouse on you so. And don't you worry - I can wait
until "our night " for you to tell me all these things you are
saving up for me. The main thing I already know anyway -
you love me - that will see me through the present and you
will be back soon to help me with the future. I couldn't
help laughing when you said you couldn't get past the front door in
trying to imagine our first night after you come home. Gosh, I'll
bet neither of us know what we say or do, and we won't mind will
we darling? Don't worry about my not opening the door quickly.
Trouble is, I'll probably smash it, endeavoring to hurry.
You know, you're making me awfully curious - what is it that you
remember so well. I should start you off too. Must think
up something & keep you guessing until you tell me what I want
to know. Well Mac my dear, I'm off to bed - and I won't need
rocking to-night. 'Fraid I'll have to dream you kissed me good -
night - what a sweet dream that would be. See you next week then
Mac & don't forget to tell that dear bloke how much I love him. Dorothy.
KRIEGSGEFANGENEN PO,S.
PRISONER OF WAR POST
NX11067,
Sgt. Malcolm W. Kesham Australian Prisoner of War 3768 F.S. 306, Stalag 383, Germany
15 SHEPHERD Rd.
ASHFIELD
N.S.W.
1-6-45 EL
FROM:
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA
KRIEGSGEFANGENEN POST
PRISONER OF WAR POST
NX 11067,
Sgt. Malcolm W KESHAM,
Australian Prisoner of War 3768. F.S. 306,
STALAG 383,
GERMANY.
AIR MAIL
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA.
11th March, 1945.
Hullo my dearest,
How are you this letter? Maybe if I was ringing you up I'd
just say something very ordinary to you. Something like : "Mac?
Hullo. What are you doing - busy? Then why don't you come over
and talk to me this evening." I'd like so much to talk to you
this evening ; darling; would you listen to me - will you- if I
ramble on a while? Good! Then come and sit on the lounge &
let me sit with my head against your knees. If I should get drowsy
occasionally, just bend down and kiss me awake, will you? I'm
awfully sleepy - we've been fishing (Mac listen - I wish you could
hear that song they're singing on the wireless. It's "Rose Marie"
and coming right now, it seems that it is sung for a special
reason. Those words I shall always love - for you made
them real for me.) But let's get back to fishing - we didn't
catch many. Four to be exact and they were very small. Mac,
we had more fun to-day and laughed more than in years.
Silly things happened to us. The first boat we hired out -
a Chapman pup launch - lost the propeller, and we had
no oars and had to be towed back. Next boat shipped water
and drenched us as the motor raced round , showering
us meanwhile: Norma & George came, and Daddy & a girl-friend
of Norma's. You mightn't have loved me darling; had you seen me
on my way home. Wind burned face, and hair in two plaits
either side. Glamour was miles away. Gee sweet, you'll be think-
ing that I can't even look glamourous, but I can if I try.
And if I have time - and don't want to do anything else. Right
now, I guess I look what I am - just a sleepy, sunburnt kid
who's lonely for you. Wish you could put me to sleep in
your arms Mac, kiss me on my sunburnt nose & tuck me
into bed. Gee - I'd sleep without rocking then. I love you
so much Mac, meaning you to be plenty strong when you come
calling on me 'cause I'm going to hug you as tight as can be.
May rang me yesterday to give me her new telephone number she
has the 'phone on at your place now, so I'll be able to write ring
her often now. Must call your mother to-morrow. May said she
hasn't been well & she's working too hard. Luckily she goes on holidays
next week - she'll have to rest then. We'll have to scold her
to-morrow. Quickly sweetheart - I'm going to sleep - kiss me!
Perhaps you'd better get yourself a woman who doesn't eat &
sleep so much Mac - and be prepared for trouble from
me if you do. I know you wouldn't darling - its just that
I love to tease you so much. Are you going to tuck me in?
Come along then, 'cause I'm going to bed now. Good night
my dearest you, and sleep tight. God bless you Mac sweet
All my love Dorothy.
SGEFANGENEN PO, ST.
NER OF WAR PO,ST. BY AIR MAIL PAR AVION
Opened by Censor
PASSED BY CENSOR 172
NX11067,
Sgt. Malcom W. Kesham,
Australian Prisoner of War 3768, Stalag 383, Germany
15 SHEPHERD Rd.
ASHFIELD
N.S.W
Australia 2-6-45
FROM!
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA.
3 Opened by Censor
BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
GSEFANGENENPOST.
NER OF WAR POST.
NX11067,
SGT MALCOM W. KESHAM,
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768, F.S. 306,
STALAG 383,
GERMANY.
3 PASSED BY CENSOR
From:
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.,
AUSTRALIA
Opened by Censor
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.,
AUSTRALIA
KRIEGSOEFANGENENPOST
PRISONER OF WAR POST
NX11067,
SGT MALCOM W. KESHAM,
AUSTRALIAN PRISONER OF WAR 3768, F.S. 306,
STALAG 383,
GERMANY.
18th March 1945
Hullo darling -
Sunday night again and time for another "you and I" session.
How are you Mac? I haven't had any mail from you this week
and honest - I could do with some. Always begin to get lonely again
when I cant' see one of your letters for a few weeks. Then - I get a
letter from you and behold! I'm lonelier than ever! So what's a
gal to do? Well here's another week behind us - another to get thru.
There's so little time to figure things out darling : Sundays are all too short.
I don't get back home from work until Saturday 2.15 pm., and I'm all for
a snooze then. Anyhow, at least I can dream - and right now I'm
dreaming of long week-ends, and I mean long, - with you around
somewhere, probably being a heck of a torment and making me roar
on you - but near enough for me to really know you're home. Please,
do you mind if I roar on you occasionally - in a nice way? You're
bound to say that you do - but you'd like it really. Gee Mac, - had
a beaut day to-day. A crowd from work hired a yacht for the
day sailed way up middle Harbour. It as a glorious day.
I lay up on the top in a sun-suit and you should see my
back now darling - brown as a berry. The whole day was a
huge success - everyone knew one another and were very friendly
without being inclined to "couple off", and that made things
grand. 'Member the picnics I used to tell you about years
ago? You always seemed so pleased when I told you
there was no pairing off - so are you happy this time, Mac
darling. I still miss you on these excursions - happy as I may
be, there's always the thought of you over there to bring that
"if only" to my laughter. Guess I love you darling - and then
some. Had a busy day on Friday Mac. Mummie was sick &
I had to take her up to the Doctor's. To make matters worse,
George went away the same day, and that upset her quite a bit.
War's pretty hard on Mothers isn't it? Incidentally, my Doctor
reckons I'm as healthy as a horse. When I walked into his surgery
he took one look at me and remarked "you're not sick anyhow".
There you are - you're always asking me how am I - so you have it
straight from the horses' mouth. It appears the old Doc was very
concerned when he noticed no ring upon my finger - wanted
to know why. When I explained that my fella was in Germany
he promised he wouldn't ask again - seemed to think it was quite
O.K. If he'd only known you - he wouldn't have worried at all.
That man almost makes it worth while being sick. I told him he
wasn't to retire until after I had had my babies & he duly
promised that if I hurried, he wouldn't go out of business
yet awhile. Nuf talk of doctors & such. Wish such a lot
that I could have a talk to you Mac. Just can't think of
anything nicer. Do take care of yourself Mac - I'll be sitting
tight waiting for some mail over here. And maybe in the next
couple of months I'll have you here. No more for now darling,
but for something to keep you company - here's my love.
Dorothy.
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