Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 3 of 14

C.W.O. 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 
  
CAMP Pucka 
No  Unit  2 A A       30  1  1941 
  
Darling,  
Greetings to you Ladye Fayre  from your old  
buddy. I don't think I need ask are you well 
as when I butted off last night, you looked swell. 
Keep that up and everything will be hunky dory. 
By heck I just made it last night 
- that taxi I rang for did not turn up and  
I had to hot foot to the the function getting there 
at 10 to 2 and luckily picking it one up there. 
I arrived in town right on the hour. We had 
a good trip back getting here at 4.30. Up at  
6 and surprisingly felt quite fresh. Nothing 
doing here this afternoon so slept for 3 hours  
so feel quite O'K tonight. 
We had a muster parade this 
morning and the embarkations warning was  
read and the rolls called.  So it looks 
like we will leaving the shores soon. The  
above is supposed to be secret but I bet 
all Melbourne know by now. Anyhow, Sweet, 
a notice was on the board today that 
the camp would be open for visitors on 
Sunday although no leave will be given out  
to anyone. So, I will be looking out for  
you with Dot. She came up today, visitors 
being allowed in for the Camp Sports.

C.W.O. 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 

2/ 
  
Syd v I thus dined qut quite well which was an  
unexpected treat. We were thinking of micking 
out again one night but I think it would  
now be too risky and as AWL's can now be  
charged as deserters. I know you would not  
think a few hours would be worth 6 months 
hard labor to this sonny. 
 I am paying in a tenner to my 
pay book Monday so Dot took a cheque 
down tonight to cash and if she hands 
you the dough Sunday, don't thinking,  it is 
for you for a fur coat or a hamburger. Will 
you bring up a couple of pads of thin paper 
and some envelopes for me Sunday and 
6 packets of Minora blades. Mum will give 
you the cash as if you get short as she 
said that any things I want she can 
buy out of what I am having paid to her. 
Also pet, a few odds I will send back with 
you Sunday so if you want a bag, tell Mum 
to give you mine. 
No more tidings now, darling 
and will try to get another note through  
to catch you Saturday. So with all my love, 
Puss, I lay down the pen, 
Mick

30 1 41 
Miss K. Clarke, 
c/o Mutual Stone Ltd 
China Dept. 
Flinders St., 
Melbourne 
  
Catholic Welfare Organization 
For The Fighting Forces 

Church of England 
Soldiers' Hall 
Puckapunyal 
  
31 - 1 - 41 
  
Sweetheart, 
Tis the last day of 
the month and as the sun  
sets on this day, my thoughts 
insist on turning to you. 
Today has been somewhat 
hellish up here and the 
image of you soothes me 
considerably although you in 
the flesh would be infinitely 
preferable. 
A bus went down to town 
tonight bearing Syd. among its 
passengers but unfortunately 
I could not get a chance to be  
in it owing to duties. (hateful 
word). Last night at 9 I was  
ordered to report to R. H. Q. 

3/ 
  
The main thing however is your 
ickle darling is surviving the  
elements and should line up 
Sunday in good condition. 
Your very welcome screed 
is to hand today and I'm so 
happy you enjoyed t'other night - 
it was bonzer, wasn't it? And  
you know if I could n have got out  
tonight, I think I would have 
risked it. Although I decided to  
forego it when it was mooted  
yesterday. In any case, Father 
Army decided it for me.  
Your enclosure to the  
letter was widely read by EII 
today and was a howling  
Success.   

2/ 
  
[I worked up at camp H.Q  
until 11pm and was put 
on again this morning to help 
check the embarkation rolls 
and pay books.] So you see,  
any chance I had of nicking 
out tonight was dissipated 
as the bus had gone before I  
signed off. Its rather foolish 
me writing at such length as you 
will see me before you get this 
but knowing how you like your 
letters, I shall proceed.  [Anyhow 
today the dust was the worst I've 
seen here, the camp and  
surroundings completely blotted out 
and the atmosphere oven crisp. 
The wind has dropped now but 
its still most oppressive.] 

4/ 
  
I was very sore about the taxi 
the other night and I did not 
spot him on the way down 
Burke Rd. Awfully sorry. You had 
to hop out of bed at such an 
ungodly hour but accidents 
will happen. 
Well, Puss this about 
exhausts my repertoire for 
today so retreat now sending 
you the all my love and 
tritely, my best wishes. Give 
your mother, Ada, Bill and  
Alfred yo my warmest  
regards, 
Yours to the dregs, 
Michael Bourke 
  
PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial

31.1.41 
  
Department of the Army 
Concession Postal Rate 
  
Miss. K. Clarke 
c/o China Dept. 
Mutual Store Ltd 
Flinders St. 
Melbourne 
 

CHURCH OF ENGLAND 
SOLDIERS' HALL 
PUCKAPUNYAL 
  
PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial 

C.WO. 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 
  
Camp  Pucka 
No  Unit 2 A A 
3.   2.   1941 
  
Darling, 
Well how are you this joyous day? (or at 
least I hope it is down at Lil' Oll Melbourne). 
Well, I pray and recovered from your 
strenuous Sunday. As you can see, we are 
still at the White Mans Hell although 
I fear me our days at this pleasure resort are 
numbered. Our show are like kids playing 
a new game. Once per day they load up 
all hands who stagger down to the parade  
ground answer their names, pick up their  
goods and chattels and positively totter back 
to their huts. Once they will stagger down  
but won't come back, I guess. 
Life in the Forces otherwise 
pursues its routine channels. Today, Syd & 
I have not worried the mess much, spending our 
dinner hour devouring what remained after 
Sunday's repasts and very nice too.  Syd & Dot 
went into Seymour last night and by a  
great stroke of luck got a room at the pub. 
As nothing sensational occurred last  
night, they got away with it O.K.  Tonight, 
however excursions are taboo for all ranks so 
preserve us, we might get roused out of bed at  
some ungodly hour. I hope not. 

C.W.O. 
Catholic Welfare Organisation 

2/ 
  
you were simply splendid yesterday, my Sweet 
and I shall never forget either you or the  
day.  No doubt Missie, you've got what it 
takes, keeping your bonnie blue flag flying to 
the last. I saw your curly thatch poking out 
of the window right over that cursed hive and when 
the bus was at last lost to view,    my gizzard 
turned to water and you'll never believe that  
I had to fight hard to stop myself from 
blubbing. Pray that I'll never disgrace you by 
any further such things because you told me you 
were proud of me and until we meet again, 
I want you to keep on thinking the same about 
me in every way.  
Thanks a heap for all the 
items you brought me yesterday because beside 
being my sweetheart, I am relying on you to 
be my Australian agent and - get me ? 
Anyhow, Puss, anything you I want I know you will do 
your utmost to fix up.  Don't hesitate to call 
upon any of my people for anything you want also 
for you know they are at your service.