Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 1 of 14

C. W. O. 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 
16. 12. 1940 
Puckapunyal 

My Sweet, 
At the outset, permit me to thank you 
for your lengthy letter which came to hand 
this day of our Lord. My word, you did yourself 
proud, your epistle certainly ^had plenty of good 
red meat which I sampled as an appetiser 
after a delicious Army Luncheon. That reminds 
me, that at the time of writing, we are feeling 
somewhat "squarmy" after our dinner. Sweets 
consisting of fermented preserved apples. Several 
of our chaps have "perked" up to date but 
I am manfully swallowing my tea and 
scruples which condition I hope to maintain. 
To add to our discomfiture, a "Pucka" dust 
storm kicked off at 3p.m and is still giving 
plenty of cheek. Otherwise we are perfectly 
happy. 
By now, I presume you have digested 
the glad? tidings re final and Xmas leave. 
This time, I fear, it is official and definite 
so I'm beginning to become reconciled and 
determined to "hoe" in during leave. I 
hope you are successful in getting some time 
off from M.S. Ltd as I said over the phone 
 

C. W. O.
Catholic Welfare Organisation
2/ 
 
try and make it for the 
Xmas period onward in preference to before. 
I will have some business to fix up 
and some farewells to go through before 
embarkation and I intend to fix those up 
first so to be in the clear during the festive 
period. 
It is said, pretty reliably, that we will 
leaving here at 3.30 a.m on Thursday so in 
that case, we should make town about 
5.30. Fancy arriving home on leave 
before breakfast. Stand by at the Mutual 
for my re-entry into your waking hours. (I 
would love to be in bed with you right now, 
My oath). O Kay. 
Yesterday we had a foot inspection 
and my bunion came under notice but as I am 
marching about 40 miles a week with without any 
effect (in new boots mind you), I reckon I'll be 
in at the kill although perhaps you may not 
agree. Phooey to you! Tomorrow evening we go 
on night manoeuvres out in the bush. Night 
manoeuvres are the consumption of 25 sucking pigs 
20 sheep and 20 25 niners. Will be a job 
when we get back Wednesday but it will 
be a bumper night, I vow.

C.W.O 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 
3/ 

Well, me gal, that seems to be about 
all I can dig up for this mail, so I will 
depart to the Canteen for a couple of 
flagons, and so to bed. Sandpaper your 
ducky little fingers, and flex your biceps 
because on the night of Dec. 19, I will crave 
a little affection for my love starved being. 
Sweetest of dreams, pet. 
Mick 
P.S. No Xmas present for you, St Stinker, 
just for asking. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 
CONCESSION POSTAL RATE 

16.12.40 

Miss K. Clarke 
C/O China Dept. 
Mutual Store Ltd. 
Flinders St 
Melbourne C.1. 

CATHOLIC ORGANISATION 
FOR THE FIGHTING FORCES 

Puckapunyal 

PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial 

LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS FRIENDS - TAKE CARE OF HIM - 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND 

Military Camp at Puckapunyal 
BATTALION OR UNIT 2 A.A. Regt. 
6.1.1941 

Sweetheart 
Here goes for my latest recital. Before we
go ahead, I trust you had a pleasant
return trip yesterday and enjoyed a good
forty winks after arrival home. Anyhow
hearty thanks for the tip top day we spent
yesterday. After you went speeding home
I rang up home and spoke a few
words to the folks. Thence to the boozer for a
couple of jugs, thither to the billet where
we partook of rabbit, apple pie and cake
from his a Xmas hamper you can imagine how
we slept after the plonkus we had gnawing
at our vitals by then. Like a pig's stye.
However in readiness for the weeks work, the
solid foundation came in handy. 
Today, Lieut. Kimpton, of “flour”
fame strode out with a wild look in his
eye which boded ill for us. We therefore
undertook a “forced” march to the Goulburn
River and back before lunch. Did we fly? 
Timed the march on one stretch and we were
doing 135 paces to the minute. 
 

LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS FRIENDS - TAKE CARE OF HIM - 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND 

Military Camp of …………….. 
BATTALION OR UNIT……… 
…………19…… 

2/ 

After the first 4 miles, we ran for half a
mile with tin hats and respirators on too.
Gee, she was plenty strenuous. I survived
somehow and got back without raising a blister
and enjoyed every minute of it really. Hot day
here today, no wind just a hot sun and you
know how I like that. 
This morning, Bob Sutton who is in
charge of the hut in the absence of Jack Seaman
came around and took the addresses of the
happy gunners who wanted leave next
week end. Boy, was there a chorus! So at
the moment it looks O.K. For a w visit to
Emoh Ruo. Leave starts on Friday at 5 p.m
until 12 midnight Sunday. Too bad
we can’t have Monday. Still tis better
than nowt. Our boss reckons there’s a faint
chance of getting Monday. So we’re hoping
and like beggars, soldiers can’t be choosers.
Well, Madame, I now depart sending you
a wagonload of choosses to go on with.
Nugget sends his love. Good - Byeeeee. 
Mick

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 
6/1/41 

Miss K. Clarke, 
C/O China Department 
Mutual Store Ltd. 
Flinders St 
Melbourne C.1 

LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS FRIENDS - TAKE CARE OF HIM - 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND 

Puckapunyal 
7.1.41 

PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial 

LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS FRIENDS - TAKE CARE OF HIM - 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND 

Military Camp of Puckapunyal 
BATTALION OR UNIT 2nd A.A. Regt. 
16.1.1941 

Dearest Puss, 
Once again thanks for your favour to
hand today chronicling your doings of recent
times. I fear I cannot equal your letters in
size because nothing much ever appears to happen
here. We are still careening around paddocks
in the trucks, jumping in and out, putting
on respirators and similar balderdash,
sandwiching in a bit of practice for the big
march in between times. The March and
Ball seem to be on a for a certainty now
on 24th instanta so we with will get at
least one more sight of Melbourne town
Current opinion inclines to the belief that
we will get leave until Sunday night if not
till Monday. It’s my fee fervent hope anyhow. 

What is causing Sid & I more
anxiety at the moment is the notice on the board
today to the effect that our mob commence
duties on Saturday night for a fortnight. If we
get copped for Sunday, I shall be somewhat 
annoyed.