Frank Sherral Bissaker, Letters and documents, 1941-1942 - Part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2020.7.152
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

then NX. 57592 At. Sea Li . Suneso Letter No. 1t for 151 Sr Deaperemn & 2/13t n R.I.P. Kbroad My ow Danling Nife, Senie, XX88 Saknay 10 Nor. 4 10 How are you Soday, M S. Steme Cnedd que te well I hope, dear I suppose that by the Lime you receive this leted hat 1st Decmbe and H Decenber with have passed so Ito to to this opportuonly to wish a Has (as Haff as ponbt, darlng Siaday and Besr Wishes He my lave on and Weading Hanwersian Hs we have bst agaed time marcher on it never shaps, even for Word Was vo.2. So you sn dear. It wond be long before Il &be with you again, and where are we theading for: Kngs ford Stek, just you jun and I I just be- read all you geter tat you fave me before I lpt they helped brighten he ag Luck I toh kit, beiong you are so appiniste. The newn let you down yet sid, and I don't in send to disappoint you his hine, wher I say - togeter again soon. We haven't received any mait yet, so it sums as Hugh will bene its out askt as reach one sestiration Don t have aay worres about me behaving nyself dear
Run cos I valu your lave and susk in me fos higly So ean let you sow. In buryall day and my everings takend oft an sy are Spen fer her having a for of hew with the boys at he piemuss one a wak couest once a wak on else esty to bed. and lkt Sucs of Cast. Dark, Swan, near Janty cisist Jory and Or Connor. In Lack dear, to put it att aboupty. In fiving you a 100/ deat, word of honans. And, Young lady, I miss you tenity and lave you more hanene I'm glad you liked has nighties ther I gave you for your beshday dus you cenfanly flsk wondersut in them. I op her lap in bed and mensally ficture the nights when we used to lay or the bed, and Id kk your unresicking bady in my ams and tiss your warn lips. Enew Hilter cant descasy my houdh I sacred remories of you. And Ill be hove soo to dear old Sonata, to kiss Now apids ups one again for kups Aid Il also hand a kiy bande to nune, if you'ts show we how to hold Junw. Ie bet yut be a frond, danting lettle mother, and Losh. In be a goldamed. pand old Soppa ds Jou Stk favand Nendy Lave and Seend Sind
Berner 3 I game Deneng hade about 1le kes to fors you at various times dear, so I hop they help Ho chas you up Leters provide and only sour of communication and they artainly help. In eagerly intiasaking receiving your mard in her I amine at whereve we ar heading for?? I dont hint the anso allaws anyone to fak Seter No as enuelsfe Eg. Leker No1 So In working it on he notifepe instead and sup hamnt bew farsuncaaty in denerting as e all we se is sea Ise and more six te nimes of he fook of caune cannat we anco werl be mentioned, & anyway ant from hend & over In ten in the disbened youll neve believe it deas, but pers who I med this moning? Norn Carod remembn the Loam fuard? When I sold her w wea wameds t all about funior he paobed my hand a cean Twamly cong nsutated as. It a sasd world usnt it. There is very lifle chara of me bung Peasick or the remainded of the dang. In quite a sailor new, dear. This ship is peripe is sye, and I cht get lock naw a ker. Sward is out of bed agains, lasking very fats a weak. I've lost Mirkrge thon a few Ws. in weight
you B and funid danting, & ean cos natenln goud are in my thanger all the time is senall at night In amph waiking for and renniord and rememt dear it was's be long Nawd we said So long it was just a case of Ill be seung you soon, yes and very Loon at that Con Senned Sunday 11 so and. Have just retumned from Chuka Sand & prayed a alens payer which I know God with answo, disting Last right I spenk the evening with I appains and a Major playing cards. Loday it is very warm with a clandlers blue sty gopher lost aver te Ships side a watch the wanes as we fight our way across the occar at a seady, Fireless Spek it occurs to me that it doesnt take very longe for is to reech am desknaso 1000 of wites from you, So that it theredoe with be only he same quiet ais as the retur gourney a ten deating Ill be able to tel you all the kings that the censor fower to me Afrai retaking at present. I wish its ssrers once again dear. I out believe any runauss he ond ship being Lund or wrecked it as we are well proceeded I dont know wheter you have received my maits regularly, but I know you' underrkint haw hippench it is for the andoutes to repulak th 100 pleters that are posted.
Dis 15 He fand to excelent dead, as you will know how the means Ive porked on mess is bean sipully appointed wit $1000 of eleck Lans to made easing a cost foo. Ne hs t Capten of H Thif ea to his neats with us Sevan a the rest of aur officers sit at aur table. of aune easly in the evening, shirk Bluhant is sbeerred untit the plownaday which means that noone is allowed or deet, nearly all porshales a wer damy in closed. Ie naul is that te wlal Thip becames wery warn, & even the eleck fans only spread the save an tah We are echating. Iring the day its teniaty that ambered wit a Sticky humdidy. I realiss, that his isst a ppuasure cauise, homene, ao we hand Hough consitions ahead of us but we can at take it, wke her it be desert ar know. Shan hie my love to makes Stuts, dead, I Kam Keye wish five gou man atendad. losk i Yousself dear, don't wory unnecessanty about me as Ill be careput, I fromise. until Telrassy I hape you don't supter any faysicat fair wit fuli - you have a tough jot, but I kngt youl take it as he din and bbaby with be te best sid in he block. In sure you ave lst of duusy clokes created by you clve, indusdans hends for finio Hl my Lave disteng, I lave you mave thir end Your very own Srenk XXXX
RED SHIELD HUTS AND HOSTELS FROM: No. XXL7397 vent It H.IFCHS Swont or Hcay 2/B satation 18tg 194 Remember the loved ones far away, And write them a message of cheer to day. Leter No1 My Darlng Henie Seny XXXX I have a large wapp. <7 k inge case wit a cellulord cover, so Ive awang inside. all your photos a Cays tas, so bat I now betc have a large Rawkss framed which is a peeasan I reminder of you bot It is hanging at he side of my bed a visitors continually gaze at it a sell me hew lucky I am t haveI ct a thankipn I wife so not bit I need remnding wae& Wel dear Lime Mirhes on & approaches the mont of Liftember. Please give temy a spenat hug fou his dad (Il by Sen on 1St September, which, of cousse will be his half year (putday. Line Llie's doesn't it? but I hope it flies at a timpie face so tat Id be love with you soon My one wish is to return to you Neny & if necessary, move to a Bitl Sahi tn susne to wait for the Japs. Lnvouo, if i ever eventuates Id ful ten tat I was really depending you, darling. The Sooner we have heve te befpie Il he. At is Desert fronk, but L soppose quiet on the RLEASE WRITE ON BOTH SIDES
TROM:- No. NAME UNIT. RED SHIELD HUTS AND HOSTELS 19 Remember the loved ones bar away, And write them a message of cheer to day. Jeng will Stant to atack soon, not had he has aay chaoc of success. I took out a pahot recently a fair dinkum was wooned at one stage when I heard some Jemy's mutering in heir usual firtuost Dones, less then 20 yards away. The ceaso wont feat me t give you aays details of the Sabog, but anyway we conpleted our job & retuned Takly Well darling Imiss you move than ever & my thoughts are with you always I lave you very very dee ply & witl never alles eer a wee bit. It cems ages since I end te kevow, but it wont be longe before I home with you ond wonderfo bLor. God pesss you both LhdkX. Those Srudis tho has heve not amwed yet, but of cours our nexk mert is not doe for appor. I wuks. Its tough luck that te an manf has been cancelled & I hape bey are considering its resumptin I Trust that you Leny are enjoying health swutlesot wife tt the best of PLEASE WRITE ON SOTH SIDES
D TROM:- No. NAME UNIT 14 57 3 RED SHIELD HUTS AND HOSTELS 19 Remember the loved ones far away, And write them a message of cheer to day. (3 It is still beay asand during the days Ine pown very dank. Te moon was but last night as it rose in att ts majestic splendor, I sigheds deeply as I thoght of the many mombt night we have been teethos. [femen ho hav we used to lasts it te moon count to Ten a say thags we ath ways, Hhe always be your" Well dear that still apples to us I Laon we wid camy on TBOAXHSB from just xJosk. Ilave you ene we left XXXX you ate switing at wo yohn your fhotos as I write & frandly russing om Son - his finy litle hands are beay extressive. I have sebected the Thoso of very lying or his back in praw with a big dimpted smite, as My favourite, altough te others are very good too. He is certainly a worddus chied but I fully expected her to be, heving suck a adoraat bisutfu Mote
VECOVO 21 B Sper N 16 W.A. OIVISION 1 D9 17 Iomewhere. ens Scay. I/13 Sedaen So M Shoad Sephemhed My Tasling Mfe Senie &XC Rhary hear very bis for the past wus & have had only a Lew hous shif at add in Serones. However there I am again to say Hids how are you Id like t really ted you the Things bat happed here, but cersd That rales are more regid han ever oning To Conmills acturkes. I had te daylignt seared out of me one night as satrol I was looking. for a Jemy macking gur to wife it out when sudderly of his funs opened five. We went & grourt fronts. whilst he caws splattered bullets al assund us. at an oporking mowent we witdrew without a casually hd I never forget his inaident. Well dear, I am let a wek and my huck will intime to hild unt 8d an safe WRITE ON SOTH SE IT A WRIIE CV.
HECE VOUE MOUCIEIVe SECII MA. OISON bnd at hase ant you emt I him all your flotes in fant of me as I write o key provide let of inspirao by manifulating a magnifying plass very fcendficity I can enterge your fan (and Tenys far) & alnost nake you lipelike your smile depens you lips almost move but got I wish I was really bityt sen ald. My birt is acking wnt lave a Sendemess. I contintly consale my beeligs with the knowledge that tme healss on, it never stops, every dy that fesses nosr bring us close to and rennion. this shew wit be oves oor I and wot confident go and eanly Wetory. The Russias vens appeas to be a flot brighter, ten B Heavers, a te approaicting Winker should defert Jery as it did last line. The Japs are suffering rumerous peresses tor geveretly specking, H Hlies appear to be atporching an altinet Vclory - the soone the beker Plast th MrIEONS0I 17 E EC Was!

At. Sea.
 NX. 57392
Lieut F. Bissaker
8th Reinforcements 2/13 TH Bn.
A.I.F. Abroad.
Letter No. 14 (or 15?)

My own Darling Wife, Sherrie, xxxx Saturday 15 Nov. 41.
How are you today, Mrs
N. Sherrie Bissaker  quite well I hope, dear.
I suppose that by the time 
you receive this letter dated the 1st December and

6th December will have passed. So I’ll take 
this opportunity to wish you a Happy (as Happy as
possible, darling) Birthday and Best Wishes &
All my love on our Wedding Anniversary.
As we have both agreed time marches on,
it never stops, even for World War No. 2. So
you see dear, it won’t be long before I’ll 
be with you again, and where are we
heading for? - Kingsford Flats, just 
 you, Junior and I. I just re-read all 
letters that you gave me before I left &
they helped brighten me up such a lot,
kid, because you are so optimistic. I’ve 
never let you down yet kid, and I don’t 
intend to disappoint you this time, when
I says — " together again soon! We haven’t 

received any mail yet, so it seems as
though will have to wait until we 
reach our destination.
Don’t have any
worries about me behaving myself dear
[*FBissaker*]
 

 

(2)
'cos I value your love and trust in me too highly
to ever let you down. I’m busy all day
and my evenings (when off duty) are spent
either having a pot of beer with the boys;
at the pictures once a week; concert once a 
week or else early to bed. Our little Bucks

party consists of Capt. Dark, Bevan, Webb

Jory and O'Connor. In fact dear, to put it all

briefly, I'm giving you a 100% deal, word 

of honour. And, young lady, I miss you

terribly and love you more than ever xxxx.

I'm glad you liked those nighties that

I gave you for your birthday dear - you certainly

looked wonderful in them. I often lay in bed

and mentally picture the nights when we

used to lay on the bed, and I'd take

your unresisting body in my arms and

kiss your warm lips. Even Hitler can't

destroy my thoughts & sacred memories

of you. And I'll be home soon to dear 

old "Sonata", to kiss those cupid's lips

once again for keeps. And I'll also hand

a tiny bundle to nurse, if you'll show

me how to hold Junior. I'll bet you'll be

a proud, darling little Mother and Gosh!

I'll be a goldarned, proud old Poppa! Do

you still favour Wendy Anne and Terence Frank?

[*FBissaker*]

 

 

(3)

I gave Darling Mater about 12 letters to post to

you at various times dear, so I hope they help

to cheer you up. Letters provide our only source

of communication and they certainly help. I'm

eagerly anticipating receiving your mail when

I arrive at wherever we are heading for??.

I don't think the censor allows anyone to put

Letter No's. on envelopes E.g. "Letter No. 15." So I'm

writing it on the notepaper instead. Our

trip hasn't been particularly interesting

as we all we see is sea - see? and more sea;

the names of the ports of course cannot

be mentioned, & anyway we anchor well

out from them s & only see them in the distance.

You'll never believe it dear, but guess who

I met this morning? - Norm Carmody,

remember the tram guard? When I told him

we were married & all about Junior he

grabbed my hand & very warmly congratulated

us. Its a small world isn't it?

There is very little chance of me being

seasick on the remainder of the trip. I'm

quite a sailor now, dear. This ship is

terrific in size and I still get lost

now & then. Bevan is out of bed

again, looking very pale & weak. I've lost

a few lbs. in weight, thinking about

[*Bissaker*]

 

 

(4)

[*you*] and Junior darling, & natuar 'cos naturally you

are in my thoughts all the time, especially at 

night. I'm simply waiting for our reunion and

remember dear it won't be long. When we said

"So long" it was just a case of "I'll be seeing

you" soon, yes! and very soon at that.

Continued Sunday 11.30 a.m.  Have just returned 

from Church Parade and prayed a silent prayer,

which I know God will answer, darling. xxxx.

Last night I spent the evening with 2 captains

and a Major playing cards.

Today it is very warm with a cloudless blue sky

I often look over the ship's side & watch the waves

as we fight our way across the ocean at a

steady, tireless speed & it occurs to me that it

doesn't take very long for us to reach

our destination 1000's of miles from you, so

that it therefore will be only the same quick

trip on the return journey & then darling I'll

be able to tell you all the things that the censor

prevents me from relating at present. I

wish to stress once again dear, DON'T believe

any rumours re our ship being sunk or 

wrecked etc. as we are well protected. I don't

know whether you have received my mail

regularly, but I know you'll understand how

difficult it is for the authorities to regulate

the 1000's of letter that are posted.

[*Bissaker*]

 

 

(5)

The food is excellent dear, as you will know from the

menus I've posted. Our mess is beautifully appointed

with 100's of elect. fans to make eating a cool

process. Now & then the Captain of the Ship eats his

meals with us. Bevan & the rest of our officers sit

at our table. Of course early in the evening, strict

Blackout is observed until the following day,

which means that noone is allowed on deck &

nearly all portholes & windows are closed. The result

is that the whole ship becomes very warm, &

even the elect. fans only spread the same air that

we are exhaling. During the day its terribly

hot combined with a sticky humidity. I realise,

that this isn't a pleasure cruise, however, as we have

tough conditions ahead of us, but we can all take

it, whether it be desert or snow.

Please give my love to Mater & [['Skuta'?]], dear, I

know that will give you every attention. Look after

yourself dear, don't worry unnecessarily about me,

as I'll be careful, I promise. Until February,

I hope you don't suffer any physical pain

with Junior - you have a tough job, but I

know you'll take it on the chin and baby will

be 'the best kid in the block'. I'm sure you

have lots of dainty clothes created by your

clever, industrious hands for Junior.

All my love darling, I love you more than

ever. Your very own Frank xxxx.

[*FBissaker*]

 

 

 

No:  NX.57392.

NAME Lieut F Bissaker

UNIT A Coy. 2/13 Battalion

THE SALVATION ARMY

A.IF. (ME). Abroad.

28 Aug 1942
Letter no 7

My darling Sherrie & Terry xxxx x

I have a large mapping case

with a celluloid cover, so I've arranged

[*Excuse chinese dear xxxx*]

all your photos inside it & Terry's too, so that I now 

have a large batch of photos framed which is a

pleasant reminder of you both. It is hanging

at the side of my bed & visitors continually

gaze at it & tell me how lucky I am

to have such a beautiful wife & son 

- not that I need reminding!! xxxx x

Well dear, time marches on & approaches the

month of September. Please give Terry a

special hug from his Dad (I'll try pens)

on 18th September, which, of course will be

his half year Birthday. Time flies doesn't

it? but I hope it flies at a terrific 

pace so that I'll be home with you soon.

My one wish is to return to you & Terry

and if necessary, move to a Battle Station

in Aussie to wait for the Japs. invasion, if

it ever eventuates. I'd feel then that I was

really defending you, darling. The sooner 

we leave here, the happier I'll be.  All is

quiet on the desert front, but I suppose

 

 

 

2.

Jerry will start to attack soon, not that

he has any chance of success. I took

out a patrol recently & fair dinkum

I was worried at one stage when I

heard some Jerry's muttering in their usual

guttural tones, less than 20 yards away.

The censor won't permit me to give you

any details of the patrol, but anyway,

we completed our job & returned

safely.

Well darling, I miss you more than

ever and my thoughts are with you always.

I love you very very deeply & will never

alter even a wee bit. It seems ages

since I said 'Au Revoir', but it won't

be long before I am home with you &

our wonderful son. God Bless you both xxxx x.

Those studio photos have not arrived 

yet, but of course our next mail is

not due for approx. 2 weeks. Its tough

luck that the air mail has been cancelled

& I hope they are considering its resumption.

I trust that you and Terry are enjoying

the best of health sweetheart wife xxxx.

        x

 

 

 

(3)

It is still very warm during the day &

I've grown very dark. The moon was 

full last night & as it rose in all

its majestic splendour, I sighed deeply as

I thought of the many moonlit nights

we have been together. Remember how

we used to look at the moon &

count to ten and say "Always in all

ways, I'll always be yours"? Well, dear

that still applies to us & soon we

will carry on TOGETHER from just

we left off - gosh! I love you Sherrie xxxx.

You are smiling at me from your 

photos as I write & proudly nursing

our son - his tiny little hands are

very expressive. I have selected the

photo of Terry lying on his back in

pram with a big dimpled smile, as

my favourite, although the others are

very good, too. He is certainly a 

wonderful child, but I fully expected

him to be, having such a 

super, super, adorable beautiful Mother.

[*Will have to close now, so cheerio for the present

Love to Mater, Nita regards to Pop. Ever your loving hubby

Big hug for Terry                       Frank xxxx.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagram - see original document

Letter No. 10

Egypt

somewhere?

NX57392

Lieut F. Bissaker

A Coy 2/13 Battalion

AIF (ME) Abroad

My Darling Wife, Sherrie xxxx,            3 September 42

I have been very busy

for the past week and have had only a few

hours sleep at odd intervals. However,

here I am again to say, "Hullo! how 

are you?"  I'd like to really tell you

the things that happen here but censorship

rules are more rigid than ever owing

to Rommel's activities. I had the daylight

scared out of me one night on patrol.

I was looking for a Jerry machine gun

to wipe it out when suddenly 3

of his guns opened fire. We went to

ground pronto! Whilst the caws splattered

bullets all around us. At an opportune

moment we withdrew without a casualty

but I'll never forget this incident. Well

dear, I am fit & well and my luck will

continue to hold until I am safe

 

 

 

 

 

2

and sound at home with you & Terry xxxx x.

I have all your photos in front of me as I

write & they provide lots of inspiration.

By manipulating a magnifying glass very

scientifically I can enlarge your face (and

Terry's too) & almost make you lifelike 

- your smile deepens & your lips almost

move. But gosh! I wish I was really

with you, Sweetheart xxxx My heart is

aching with love & tenderness. I continually

console my feelings with the knowledge

that time marches on; it never stops, & every

day that passes MUST bring us closer

to our reunion. This show will be over

soon & I am 100% confident of an early

Victory. The Russian news appears to be a

lot brighter, thank Heaven, & the approaching

Winter should defeat Jerry as it did

last time. The Japs are suffering numerous

reverses too & generally speaking, the Allies

appear to be approaching an ultimate

Victory - the sooner the better!!!! Blast the War!!!!!

 

 

 

 

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