Frank Sherral Bissaker, Letters and documents, 1941-1942 - Part 2

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

Page 1 / 10

Conny CWOOA WNENENS DICLL W.A. OIISION Dne pe M.S. Dank I as engerly awahing your next wait which soned anme wite a and. you the his nust be alsobe bely pand you an he sure bit H Treasure then darling. (Josh I lovg you XXX tak col answered by leker & was tckled pint to hear from me. He is fit well and may be able to visit me soon, altough It wil be difficult. However, I way have the sppokidg to wsit him as I know txactly where he iso you or know thy hav which lucnt I ea in Keks address inndentally, is sak the same. I was fiind to lear from you eages to s treve, but net as keen as ayrs truly XxX I will endewvor to thaw him ploxes when bay famel you hendonet Hers in your lkes to den I will write to kent afair tomorow. Havent received an answes fo hes cheers as yet Well, Smtheaok I hope you Sem wel, and beeking your chins up Ih a dull okn which hasnt a vax of Tunshine so well look for the silver lining a aom Ih my love wochear ours Frand
Letter No. 14 Australian Comforts Fund D Si Skember 1947 Nx. 5739r. Hubby A. cay. 2/13 (Patabor AT.A. (ME). Hbroad Myr ann Draling M.H Seme I have a chance Dtink To continue answering you last leter, unters Jery or Lomeone else in Lervene at is 7 fo Satrday night which is jirst sbent te has we would be pet tot pot old Rity aring for and visit put of cousse tat is in possibl At pesent get it wont be eong befor we will be togekes Toon comvet is foobibly re- or fonisings for a secoo toust brough Ao Slecendiia, but he want have a chance a Ikint hell return to Serwany with the rensents of his enviruble army. A Curtio recensly broaciasld tat we will not retua t Hussie but I more or less expected tat. We must fist fewy out of her first, Kither MCustin wit anounc and retur to Sussie & A wont be eong etes dear If I waint fighting and here, I'd be sent to the Ielands Lomewhere To I knt it is better to finert and pt here to ket I can return t you &renaid wet your Lemerasty. Wak wratly desting swovl dlike to the wit you now but he eveny much he land will be cleared up, hes we wit heveteate.
1 Australian Comforts Fund 194 abublety tate Has. a the sordd Srgedies assocated with it In neve tell you a lak of te semibl sights I have wdressed Im doing my best to forgex new In be glad to be have wite you our can ithen Ile fed you all my fussaneeferiences. Sh Tuk gyond find tes interesting here is no slea in te wold equat to Lr Archent evend of that I am sure xxxx I am gead he you have be Led b proto I have sent but I can't proms say uf her, worehick. acertainly fod lots of fus wit the Wogs in eynid and alstire as you can wel iagine nffre tat your vegeteb fatcl mest the yielding will bby now Gerdening is in tinesting dead Tersibl ts, aid veg etables to Leara& dear. you asked he have I met hent Seymons or Fyles. Hctally I dont recall in thes then & centerly liver o mek Tyles anwnen of It was tough luck that bwnks of our wait ws surd by enemy act w. Hamana Lant undertand why you an only receiving lesed at 0 hms as & a m workog rgutorly diding erhops tey have been a ike more plerfifut tivn you wrote.
2 Australian Comforts Fund 194 13 Seayt her fe cames sutness at such a crtical tve wrese to th foct a wis ago did my best to wish them lick you. I are fortunete darting Leaven, belinging to hav icl a bundle so to us as you ofter say seay is an absoute Got Send to you I am very prond of you bok, you betIxxx X. taken An eagesty gwnting s at Rosenith by M Cassanood Waulhewan -I am Inr bey with be pand. I mus have soms shokss of you or MM Lan to nicknowe you golt which isnt as nicl as theme. XXXx Sha dorting WE have NOF changed escipt to ow a ltt older & in Ture we will to be Strangess It Loon from tha precious dorting A you, my I lave you now then ines I am always tinking of you. XXXX He Desird sun has just sunt beloo to longe, to th lang to close darling & int well hast that you Leny Mase Mita Sot ae f Bang Bang nant. your loving hubby end Tery XXX
NR 29 Huday Acoy 2/12 Habelin Deks . Australian Comforts Fund BTefkeml 184r -58 At.A(HA Abosd My Denl Seni&VY Wt Har are you sasting wit I onl hepet you. Helkto eha are enjoying he best of hearto cas f you feel wek it makes your tooubles a lot lightes& & It was good of you to baid sox for he blers as you have ar o busy wit Feny, as I can easily lestice dizers of tings had deneleves day washing must t ao 1 yo troning Dogrann meading th Nigh Tho tor eny certaily us ho i wuch anin remy keps you occrpiet alhangs, as you say he is work 1f al. He was sent from Heaver, dilig to povid tots of I am away of cousse comfort weh whr Dreten to. We with have to & hus wit lis yoo bes Mrc Lavy jus senk anotes nic ofase my saone to he id use you insurance pobees i SoN Sydrey Sand as Key find and sst to tust nox lasse, I with povid a nest ex in the ye r O Days very tedes when I head f tery the of beep o his birtay yu eon wish of Mary Haffies for 1 June hase
Austratian Comforts Fund -194 which aracked Entosed is a magagins an Kings in my attenton it is a pad exampt of how Te Nagis are seesing thei chins uf yeak they use sliste of sanes to fore hew offinestic chin up but we can be a Deed on cls as witent ontfiit hppor I want be long now dear ts beg hard bic kat I didnt a we ho we Several monds as XC. Was is certainly po saw frgnn 1 alls a french ou her mroemen then you told me Ret ato Themie fea and near the selefhone bos aeos woss a bit Suggled deas but Idoe he soeved te triblem - TtinD.. I am hear that Litt Themie is well CxxX rad t hed was has an old nstor bike chug-chugs along past we conetimes A duck. He sends his covered in San regards to you Jery. Anne & Supnne an gan with ho lasse to Dto teke St anenene nen onn for e nmnen and so dirtig Thars the te erg you Sor saw yours FrerD FemyL. Senl XX Ressotf H. Llve you, Hmekexk
somewhere is Lib Ahy 2 IXS o Leterw. 1 297 Australian, Comforts Fund 17 Sep Kembe 184 Acap. 2/13 Bateh oun Sutl ir hThe MeXXXY ATKCMAAbiad Here I am again but news is scara as usual dear te haid thing is to let you know bot I am of and I hope you to lift fella and enjoying to bess of healt It want be long before your want I loo Me g King forward it. Those plotos should an we thes I believe me tey wit be sc lly believe XX How does on i to loos disting I often hisualse you oo redning sbed of couse I only wish were wito you at His very woment your room To you have blocked out baick is a very good ided. Plast his was, it centainly alders everything + affects eneryone eiter directly or inderect The jass heve not pogessed as wel as tey aonupated I dont hents Key with ento actually inval Aussie, & pray do. As Tit hex neve His thow ove here is sill draying along& some how I then I it with become a statemate or else finish very atrupply with retory t us It he gead f return hove t you ave thark te same he beder. sad bby wer your leving bu ✓ Mnd frnn Ilae You Leni &o KXL Sevie gant ten
1x 57392 I Lieut. J Cunter Australian, Comforts Fund H Septen Ses 1r Tekes No 15 Acag 3/13 Babalin H.T.F. C.R.B Spaad Desbi KemeNK News is searc but never mind It has been said by be paphets tat Ns news " bredeK is god news to ofter endeavort I the son fiture moneme t but as usual the are eetrevely lavy Numerous rumon is are everywhere but dey vary wit eich other bepending i for whe to an oflimist of pessinest originabes the i Pessonaly, I dont the p T us onr next mow an any oe sidely sie S. is every possibiby of an esh rhin 2 masie in my afinion (soones to leter) &LX& It his been very duaxonting dear in the fist when we were ad pr to go hond, but It wont be long before our Romerick wishes are pakstied. some of my mew have been onts here 2 2 years and of cousse were a Tobruck. My overeas Servin is regligibl comp ared to tem but for 5 Dn Romesick dert I heed you so very very much XXX& Ntewo tint by I weve hanged dear co- know we harent excft to lame one anote more tan ever Iofte fend it hand t realise that I am 1000 mites away fom you, but one look aof this Desert is afficient to remad me hat I am in dibys t Ilom you me donly a frecisn wife pay every night for sod I sep you
Fery Lafe a sent he have Lakly to you soon I always pray when danges is near a Lod answers my trayess. He wond lt us down darling IX wout be long before you I with he BCDH, nevw to part again. We are expeniering the harrist best is and lives at present having shood ap to the stain far, lets sustain hise bot just kiny but longer, her our Reunion abouitely t pand N Sha tvo your doning Libby dood Sanake Man S.KLRX Lexx wxe axx& Lexx Ilave you theme disling, anth at my heart a gost. I miss you (more hars I could ever express in words) XXXX ManS.
Somewhere in LrKyD Austratian Comforts Fund H Septen D 1948 Letter No 16 Vx 4729r Hubby Acaye 2/1 atalo My ow Sherie XXX& AH CRSS Saad Fast night to shore ring I heard be news broadeas& pfom a Headquanters Com wireless at ou e fnm At the concluso I was about to hang up the gives whes t amouree gidderby re w sudling crog vid render to nore Loves a snes Good old sing certainly gave if te words & you as magive my oon toughts, deas as he san. The mo kid just riserd & te usual & lness of the desert Thigh was reigning it was to fiost time for 2 works that I had listered to any mursicit bought a henp ito my troat It made me realie just what youI are missing at home, te sooner I am with you the beter. Desert war fare isnt romentic by any means and the monet onous experse of Land, denuded of even a tree, becomes very hong. Homever the weakes is gotig coole as Winle approaches and the Ples are fradually disappearing Night and early mornings are cold and the Sun seking he ots wedday Wel darling, loke of lone to you Lery care of youselves, Ien fit well Sate loving lubby Dad bow your our Dnkey BS Llaveyan Heme XXCK Sem Nen XXCCR Tem

KEEP YOUR MOVEMENTS SECRET.

A.C.F.

W.A. DIVISION

 

"We (3)"
Sherrie} xxxx x

Terry    }

Frank  }

I am eagerly awaiting your next mail which

should arrive within a week. Your photos must

be absolutely grand & you can be sure that

I'll treasure them, darling. (Gosh! I love you xxxx)

Keith Cole answered my letter & was tickled

pink to hear from me. He is fit & well and

may be able to visit me soon, although

it will be difficult. However, I may have

the opportunity to visit him as I know

exactly where he is. You must know

by now which Division I am in. Keith's

address incidentally, is still the same. He was

pleased to hear from you & eager to see

Terence, but not as keen as yours truly!!!!! xxxx x

I will endeavor to show him photos when they

arrive - you mentioned them in your letter to him.

I will write to Keith again tomorrow. Haven't

received an answer from Leo Cheers as yet.

Well, sweetheart I hope you & Terry are

well, and keeping your chins up. Its

a dull sky which hasnt a ray of sunshine

so we'll look for the silver lining.

FBissaker.

All my love Sweetheart

Ever yours, Frank

xxxx x

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

 

Letter No. 12.
12 September 1942.

NX. 57392. Hubby.

A. Coy. 2/13 Battalion

A.I.F. (ME). Abroad.

My own Darling Wife, Sherrie xxxx,

I have a chance (I think)

to continue answering your last letters, unless

Jerry or someone else intervenes.

It is 7 p.m Saturday night which is

just about the time we would be preparing

for our visit to the good old "Ridge".

But of course, that is impossible at present,

& yet it won't be long before we will

be together soon. Rommel is probably reorganising

for a second thrust through

to Alexandria, but he won't have a

chance & I think he'll return to Germany

with the remnants of his "invincible" army.

Mr. Curtin recently broadcasted that we

will not return to Aussie, but I more or 

less expected that. We must push Jerry

out of here first, & then Mr Curtin will

announce our return to Aussie & it

won't be long either, dear. If I wasn't

fighting over here, I'd be sent to the Islands

somewhere, so I think it is better to finish

our job here, so that I can return to

you & remain with you permanently. Naturally

darling I wanted like to be with

you now, but the enemy must be (and will

be) cleaned up, then we will have Peace.

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

____________________194

 

2

I absolutely hate War & all the sordid tragedies

associated with it. I'll never tell you a lot

of the terrible sights I have witnessed & I'm

doing my best to forget them. Ill be glad

to be home with you & our son & then I'll tell

you all my pleasant experiences & I'm sure

you'll find them interesting. There is no place

in the world equal to 34 Archer St. Concord,

of that I am sure! xxxx.  I am glad that
you have liked the photo I have sent, but
I can't procure any up here, worse luck.
I certainly had lots of fun with the Wogs
in Syria and Palestine, as you can well
imagine!
I suppose that your vegetable patch must
be yielding well by now.  Gardening is
interesting dear & sensible too, with vegetables
so scarce & dear.
You asked me have I met Lieut Seymour
or Tyler.  Actually I don't recall either
of them & certainly haven't met Tyler over here.
It was tough luck that 6 weeks of our
mail was sunk by enemy action.  However
I can't understand why you are only
receiving 1 letter at a time, as I am
writing regularly darling.  Perhaps
they have been a little more plentiful
since you wrote.

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

____________________194


(3).
Sorry to hear of Carmel's sickness at such
a critical time.  Wrote to she her & Jack
a week ago & did my best to wish
them luck.  You and I are fortunate darling
to have such a bundle of Heaven, belonging
to us & as you often say, Terry is an
absolute God send to you.  I am very
proud of you both, you bet!! xxxx x.
Am eagerly awaiting photos taken
at Roseville by Mr. Cassanova (wheelbarrrow)
- I am sure they will be grand.  I must
have some photos of you, or I'll have
to nickname you 'Violet' which
isn't as nice as 'Sherrie'. xxxx.
Please darling, WE have NOT
changed, except to grow a little
older & I am sure we will NOT
be strangers.  I'll soon prove
that to you, my precious darling.
I love you more than ever & am
always thinking of you. xxxx
The desert sun has just sunk
below the horizon, so I'll have to
close darling.  I am fit & well & trust
that you & Terry, Mater, Nita & Pop
are all  'in the pink'.
FBissaker.
Bang Bang!
Ever your loving hubby
Frank XXXX
Terry X.

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund


NX. 57392.
'Hubby'
A coy 2/13 Battalion
13 September 1942
A.I.F. (M.E).
Abroad
Letter No 13.
- EGYPYT -
[hand drawn diagram - see original document]
 
My Darling Wife, Sherrie xxxx,
How are you darling wife?
I ony hope that you & the little fella
are enjoying the best of health, 'cos if you
feel well it makes your troubles a lot
lighter. xxxx
It was good of you to knit sox for me
as you have been so busy with Terry, as I
can easily realise the dozens of things that
must be done very day such as washing,
ironing, mending, etc.  Your night programme
with Terry certainly shows how much
Terry keeps you occupied, although, as
you say, he is worth it all.  He was sent
from Heaven, darling, to provide lots of
comfort whilst I am away & of course
when I return too.  We will have lots
of fun with him you bet!
M.L.C. have just sent another nice
parcel to me.  I'd like you to take my
insurance policies in to Mr. Sydney &
find out just how I stand, as they
must not lapse, & will provide a nest
egg in the future.
I was very tender when I read of Terry
giving Pop that handkerchief on his birthday.
Please wish Pop "Many Happies" for 1 June.

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

____________________194


2
Enclosed is a magazine cutting which attracted

my attention. It is a good example of how

the Nazis are keeping their chins up -yeah!

They use plaster of Paris to force their

chins up! But we can be optimistic &

keep our chins up without any special support.

It won't be long now dear. It's been

hard luck that I didn't arrive home

several months ago xxxx. Now is certainly

a jig-saw puzzle & its always difficult

to predict future movements.
When you told me that Little Sherrie

fell over neat the telephone box & lost 

her shoe I was a bit puzzled, dear, but

I've solved the problem - I think!!!! I am

glad to hear that Little Sherrie is well xxxx   
Ted Swan has an old motor bike &

chug-chugs along past me sometimes

covered in sand & dust. He sends his

regards to you & Terry. Anne & Suzanne

are both well.
Please give my love to Mater, Nita

and Pop.
Sherrie darling, I'll be seeing you soon

Ever yours

Frank

Terry x   Sherrie xxxx

PS. I love you, Sherrie xxxx.
FBissaker

         

 

Somewhere in Libya.

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

Letter No. 14.
Hubby.
NX 57392.
17 September 1942
A Coy. 2/13 Battalion
AIF (ME) Abroad
My own Sweetheart Sherrie xxxx
Here I am again but
news is scarce as usual, dear. The main thing
is to let you know that I am OK.
and I hope you & the little fella are
enjoying the best of health.
It won't be long before your mail
arrives & gosh! I'm looking forward
to it. Those photos should arrive then & believe
me , they will be especially welcome. xxxx.
How does our suite look, darling ? I
often visualise you & Terry retiring
to bed & of course I only wish I

were with you at this very moment.
So you have blacked out your room
which is a very good idea. Blast this
war, it certainly alters everything &
affects everyone either directly or indirectly
The Japs. have not not progressed as well
as they anticipated & I don't think they
will ever actually invade Aussie, & pray
to God they never do.
This show over here is still dragging
along & somehow I think it will become
a stalemate or else finish very abruptly
with victory to us. I'll be glad to return
home to you sweetheart & the sooner the better.
Ever your loving hubby & Daddy.
P.S. I love you Sherrie
Frank
XXXX Sherrie
X         Terry
FBissaker

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

 

Letter No.15. 
NX 57392.
Lieut F. Bissaker
15 September 1942
A Coy 2/13 Battalion
A.I.F. (ME)
Abroad
My own Darling Sherrie xxxx
News is scarce, but never mind,
it has been said by the prophets that "No news
is good news" We often endeavour to foretell
our future movements but as usual they
are extremely hazy. Numerous rumours are
everywhere but they vary with each other 
depending upon whether an optimist or pessimist
originates them. Personally, I don't think
any one actually knows our next move. There
is every possibility of an early return to
Aussie in my opinion (sooner the better) xxxx
It has been very disappointing dear, in the
past when we were all set to go home, but
it won't be long before our homesick wishes
are satisfied. Some of my men have been
over here 2½ years and of course were at
Tobruck. My overseas service is negligible compared
to them, but gosh I'm homesick darling
& need you so very, very much. xxxx
Never think that we've changed dear 'cos
I know we haven't except to love one 
another more than ever. I often find it
hard to realise that I am 11000 miles away
from you but one look at this Desert is
sufficient to remind me that I am in Libya.
I love you Sherrie darling precious wife
& pray every night for God to keep you &   

 

2

Terry safe & send me home safely to you, SOON.

I always pray when danger is near & God

answers my prayers. He won't let us 

down darling, & it won't be long before 

you & I will be TOGETHER, never to

part again.

We are experiencing the hardest 

test in our lives at present

having stood up to the strain

so far, let's sustain this effort just

a tiny bit longer, then our Reunion

will be absolutely grand "We Three."

Ever your loving hubby and Dad

FBissaker  Frank XXXX  X

          XXXX  XXXX  XXXX  XXXX 

I love you Sherrie darling, with all

my heart & gosh! I miss you (more

than I can ever express in 

words) XXXX

Frank.

 

 

ACF.

Australian Comforts Fund

 

Somewhere in Lybia.

Letter No. 16.

16 September 1942

NX 57392   Hubby

A Coy 2/13 Battalion
A.I.F. (ME) Abroad

 

My own Sherrie XXXX,       

Last night the 'phone rang & 

I heard the news broadcast from a 

wireless at our Company Headquarters.

At the conclusion, I was about to hang up

the receiver when the announcer suddenly

said Bing Crosby will render "The World 

Loves a Lover". Good old Bing certainly

gave it the works & you can imagine my

thoughts, dear, as he sang. The moon had

just risen & the usual stillness of the desert

night was reigning. It was the first time

for 2 months that I had listened to any

music & it brought a lump to my throat.

It made me realise just what you & I

are missing at home, & the sooner I am 

with you, the better. Desert warfare isn't

romantic by any means and the monotonous

expanse of sand, denuded of even

a tree, becomes very tiring. However,

the weather is getting earlier as Winter

approaches and the flies are gradually

disappearing. Nights and early mornings

are cold with the Sun getting hot

towards midday.

Well darling, lots of love to you & Terry

take care of yourselves, I am fit & well.

Ever your own loving hubby & Dad

Frank XXXX Sherrie 

                        X Terry

FBissaker

PS I love you, Sherrie

XXXX.

 

 

                                                     

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