Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, 1945 - Part 5 of 10
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Kriegsgefangenenpost
Prisoner of War Post
NX11067
Sgt Malcolm W Kesham
Australian Prisoner of War 3768 (F.S.306)
STALAG 383,
GERMANY
Miss D. Williams
37 Byrnes Street
Bexley NSW Australia
22nd April, 1945
My darling,
You keep asking for snaps, so I’m sending one more - it’s not good,
but it is a photo I suppose. The rest of the film was no good blow it
all. The ones I’m in, of course. Took a couple of Daddie, which were quite
good. Maybe I broke the camera. Well my Mac, and how are you going?
Gosh, I certainly wish I could get some news of you sweet. These
last two weeks have seemed like two whole years, so long have
they been. The papers have been full of names of prisoners of war
who have been released, but no sign of yours. Silly though it is,
each day I call your mother to enquire for news. I say silly, cause
I know immediately I hear of your release - it will be from your
Mother. She promised to phone me right away. The time has
drawn so near, and now that it is so near, I find it almost
impossible to believe you will really be free, - who knows, -perhaps
tomorrow. To-day was my Sunday to work, and all day it
seemed as if I were listening for the phone to ring - for news
of your release. Heavens, I’m getting jittery. If it doesn’t
hurry up darling, you’re going to have a nervous wreck for a girl-
friend. Everyone is asking me for news of you - gosh, will I
be happy when I have some for myself. Of course I am worrying
about you Mac dear - I can’t help it, try as I may. You would
tell me not to be silly, to stop worrying, but its not as simple
as all that. You'll know that, too. Strange to be writing this in such
a strain Mac? - when there isn't the slightest doubt that you will
be reading this - in England perhaps - definitely not in a prison
camp. For my part, there is little news to adate; my thoughts
have been so taken up with you. Wondering if you're well, what
youre' thinking about - especially where you are. Im' all a muddle
darling - find it hard to think straight. No mail since the
one dated Christmas Day. Forgive me for writing such a dull
dreary letter. Reckon I need a hit of teasing from you, &
maybe some of those matches you promised me. Golly Mac,
I can't seem to put one word down after another. Can it be I'm
getting nervous? I wonder who'll outdo the other out of you
and I. We'll probably both be scared stiff. I can't imagine
you arriving here in the daytime. Somehow or other I can
only picture you walking in here at night - heaven knows why.
Really I don't care whether its day or night - but please sweet,
let me know when you're coming. Remember, I have to arrange
to have the house empty. Sounds good doesn't it? Empty
house and all. Daddie always looks very disapproving, in
what he considers, is his most fatherly manner, but he always
ends up laughing. Mac darling, I hate to admit it, but this is
the first letter I've ever written you that Ive' been glad when
the end was in sight. You'll have to blame this waiting Mac.
Next letter will be brighter I promise you sweet. Take good
care of yourself my dear; won't you? And here's to our
tomorrow. May it come soon, very soon. All my love
Dorothy
3 Opened by Censor
PAS GSGEFANGENENPOST AIR MAIL
BY NER OF WAR POST
NX11067, Sgt. Malcolm W. Kesham,
Australian Prisoner of War 3768[[?]] (F.S.306) Stalag 3 REDIRECTED TO PS. 28 Germ 15 Shepheard Rd.
Ashfield N.[[?]]
INITIALS [[?]] DATE 8/1[[?]]45
FROM:
MISS D. WILLIAMS,
37 Byrnes Street,
BEXLEY. N.S.W.,
AUSTRALIA
3 Opened by Censor
T.G. 42. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. Office Date Stamp.
Funds may be Quickly, Safety and Economically Transferred by MONEY ORDER TELEGRAM.
TELEGRAM
This Telegram has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act and Regulations. The time received at this office is shown at the end of the message.
The date stamp indicates the date of reception and lodgment also, unless an earlier date is shown after the time of lodgment.
CARLTON - N.S.W.-3OAP45
Sch. C.3873-7/1942.
Office of Origin. No. of Words. Time of Lodgment. No.
10. Beam...P086...Great Britain 27 28th
PWM Miss D Williams
37 Byrnes St Bexley Nsw
All well and safe writing in detail Repatriated to England
my address is AIF Reception Group Eastbourne Sussex
Malcolm Kesham
9 40amhh
Monday night 30 April, 1045
Hullo my darling,
What does on say in a moment such as this? I have
butterflies in my stomach, love in my heart and
few words that make sense in my mind. Well Mac,
its really coming at last! You're almost home - at
least you are in England & that's the first phase of
the trip home. Gee - there was a certain girl who
almost jumped to the ceiling at work to-day - yes,
me of course. Mummie rang me & asked "Do you have
any news of Mac?" Not thinking for a moment that
she had I told her 'No'. "Well hold tight," she said
'cause I have a cable here." Golly sweet, even then,
the words wouldn't sink in - I couldn't believe
it! Then she read me your cable & did I yell!
I had all the girls running in for they guessed what
was happening. You know - (have you noticed my
lack of paragraphs - I'll have to remember all over
again won't I?) it was only yesterday that your
mother rang me to tell me that your camp has
been liberated! Heavens that made me so excited
that I couldn't settle down to write to you. My
mind was a complete blank. We discussed at
great lengths over the 'phone how long it would
take for next of-kin to be notified, never dreaming
for one moment that the next day would bring
that so-long-awaited cable from you.
I have it before me now and already I know it
by heart. Darling - what's it like to be in England
& your own boss once more? I can hardly wait
to receive your letter telling me all about it sweet.
8
First Fold Here
To open cut at top
BY AIR MAIL
SYDNEY
AIR LETTER
[[?]]
NX11067, Sgt. Malcolm W. KESHAM,
A.I.F. RECEPTION GROUP,
EASTBOURNE,
SUSSEX,
IR ENGLAND
THIRD FOLD HERE
Sender's name and address:-
Miss D. Williams,
37 Byrnes Street,
Bexley. N.S.W.
Australia
If anything is enclosed letter will be sent by ordinary mail
Second Fold Here
2.
Did you receive my cable which I sent in my lunch -
hour to-day? If not, enquire around Mac, for when
Mum 'phoned me to-day I misunderstood what she
said and instead of putting "A.I.F. Reception Group"
I put "R.A.F Reception Group." Should have had
more sense & realised; but I guess I was far too
excited, and lucky to have got even that much down
correctly.
As I am writing, the news broadcast is coming over the air,
and it is obvious that Peace is very near. What a stupid,
futile loss of life - wouldn't you think they would give
up? The news has been released of Hitler's rumoured
death - also Mussolini. Funny that there should be
no sense of satisfaction in that. - But let's not talk about
that.
What Id' like to know is - how long do you think it will
be ere you're on your way - bound for Australia?
I figured it would be within 4 months, and lots of
people say less than that. What do you reckon
darling?
Gee Mac - how are you really? Are you well - truly
& honestly now!? Be sure and eat up all your vegs.
now & put on plenty of weight. Get plenty of sleep
& rest - plenty of every thing that makes for getting
well. And have fun my darling, for you deserve
at least that.
And sweet - would you please do me a favour?
Write and tell me that you have not got a fraulein!
Don't eat me now! I just want to show it to lots
of my smart friends who have been teasing me
for years, saying that you had a fraulein when
you were in Germany. They reckoned I wouldn't
be game enough to ask you if you had a
Repeat of Page 7
3.
fraulein; so I replied, "Won't I just! That will be in
my first letter to Mac."
Oh Mac - Mac - Mac - how wonderful it all if is.
You should have heard Fay when I 'phoned this
morning; She was home sick, as it happened. Your
Mother and May were both shopping; and the cable
didn't get to your home before 4.30pm this
afternoon. Mine arrived at 10.10 this morning.
One of the Captains saw me flying upstairs to tell
Margaret the news & said "Will you look at that
girl!" Oh darlin', I'm so very happy!
Will have to write to George next & let him in on
the wonderful news. He's at Monatai at present - gosh
will he be pleased!
Were' pretty lucky, aren't we Mac? I think so.
Betty was over to-night, to see if she could come and
stay with us awhile. She's had some trouble at home
apparently, and really looks very sick. What could
we say? Of course she can come here and indeed, I
believe it will do her good. Her Auntie does pick on
her I know, and its pretty difficult for Bett.
See darling, already you are in the position of listener
to my troubles, whether you mind or not. Speaking
for myself, I've a fairly broad shoulder & a very
sympathetic ear, so go right ahead if you have
any troubles my Mac. Don't tell me you have
none! Couldn't believe it!
No more for to-night my darling. Im' on the verge
of a collapse after to-day's excitement. Take good care
of yourself darling and write me often. I know
you will Mac. Goodnight - God Bless You
sweetheart. All my Love - Dorothy.
P.S. Did I tell you? - I do love you. Dot.
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