Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 5 of 14

2/ 
To continue, we anchored inside the Heads the first  
night and sailed again at about 5 AM, went  
along all day alone and at 4 pm we were  
treated to a great sight for then we formed up with  
the convoy - imagine full speed ahead. a  
warship darting along in front and four ocean  
giants following: Acquitania, Queen Mary, Nieuw  
Amsterdam & Mauritania two abreast. - it was a  
thrill when they formed up. All day the RAAF  
have been racing over the boat in a bomber  
right up till we came to the rendezvous. The  
Queen is a beauty and is sailing only half a mile  
away. We get a lot of dashing to boat stations  
and as life jackets must always be worn, she is  
somewhat cumbersome. we sleep on the Main Deck  
and our station is on the promenade deck one above.  
Otherwise we don't do a thing except submarine  
guard and boat picket and so on. Well pet  
black out approaches so must close for today. 
All my love sweetheart and may we soon meet again. 
7.2.41 
Today has passed very quickly and uneventfully and   
I am hard put to find something to write about.  
Anyhow we had a practice emergency, some PT- 

3/ 
Syd has been appointed Instructor and he 
revels in putting the lads through their 
paces. Tonight Syd & I are dropping in on 
the Second Engineer on a letter of introduction 
from Charlie. The Second on a tub of this 
size is quite a personage so the visit should be 
good. Today the sea has been rougher but 
the Lord knows where we are for since 
sailing we have steamed in all directions. I 
hope we drop in at the West for leave so I can 
sneak this through. Syd has a pal in 
Perth so if we can contact him we will let 
him hold our letters for a day our two before 
mailing them. We have been warned against 
this private letter writing but I am 
risking it after taking reasonable precautions 
Well darling, bless you and I 
love you madly still & this separation 
is cruel hard. Sweet dreams and pray 
for me. 
Still at sea   8.2.41 
VX on the air again - wishing his 
sweetheart good day and sending oceans 
of love. We are still bowling over the

4/ 
briny at a good clip and must have 
covered thousands of miles since leaving 
Port Melbourne. Today there has been a 
hearty swell and mal-de-mer has been 
more common aboard. Strange to say, yours 
truly has held his own although I lunched 
somewhat gingerly but recovered for tea in  
fine fashion. This is a good idea 
writing a bit each day from my bunk as it 
is quiet and I can think of you in peace. 
It is funny aboard, after the first day quite 
uneventful. You go on deck each day and see 
the other tubs careering along with the lean grey 
man of war nosing along a bit ahead - 
war and danger seem remote. I hope they 
stay that way too. Well, Sweetheart, that 
seems to be about today's issue so lower 
away now and head for shore. Good 
hunting from your most gallant cavalier.
- I still love you by the boatload.

A.C.F. AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND  [Victorian Division] 
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund 
  
At Sea - 8.2.41 
Darling, 
Well here goes for my first effort 
since I forsook terra firma for the 
deep blue sea. I hope you are feeling fit 
and not missing me too much although 
for my part, nothing would delight me 
than to be with you once again. 
I guess you are all agog for the 
low down on my experiences on the 
troop ship and so taking into consideration 
the limitations imposed by the censorship 
I will endeavor to tell you something. 
First of all, our vessel is a floating 
hotel and sails pretty smoothly and 
as my stomach has never been of the best 
that is quite an advantage. Today 
though there is an ocean swell 
and my tummy is a bit unsettled 
at times, although I have not had 
to avoid the dining saloon yet. The 
grub on board is very good, prepared

A.C.F. AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND  [Victorian Division] 
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund 
  
2/ 
and served in first class style. In 
addition the grog and tobacco are dirt 
cheap so you can see the amenities  
make this voyaging a pleasant enough 
experience. Regarding our quarters, Syd 
& I are together in a two berth bunk 
aft which is quite an accomplishment 
as most of our chaps are dossing in 
hammocks. 
I had an introduction from 
Charlie to the Second Engineer. We paid him a 
call last night and found him a 
fine chap, a typical old Salt. We yarned 
for an hour in his suite and he bought 
us the biggest pot of beer I've ever seen 
A letter from Mum reached 
me on board. I wish there had been 
one from you but it will be here soon. 
I suppose you have heard all about 
embarkation happening so will skip 
that.

A.C.F. AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND  [Victorian Division] 
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund 
  
3/ 
Well, Sweet I cannot 
think of anything else to relate 
just now so will go up on 
deck now for another spoonful 
of ozone. Of course, I shall 
drop your communique No. 2 as soon 
as an opportunity to catch 
a further mail presents itself. 
Best of luck and 
all my love, Puss 
Your devoted swain 
Mick 
[[SNKimpton]]

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL.           
FORCE.                                    
PASSED BY CENSOR 
136 

8. 2  41
H.M.TRANSPORT
  
Miss. K. Clarke, 
c/o China Dept. 
Mutual Store Ltd., 
Flinders St. 
Melbourne C.1 Victoria 
[*SNKimpton*] 

at sea 
between Melb & 
Perth  
14.2.41 
  
PR00610 
Australian  
War Memorial 

Perth 11.2.41 
Darling, 
I must confess, pet, at time of  
 writing that I am half seas over  
but the well of inspiration in addition  
to the supply of Emu Lager is brimming 
over. We have been in the Sunny  
West for two days and have had  
leave both days and as though to 
ease the longing for our own folk the 
Gropers have made us marvellously 
welcome and leave here in Perth 
has been great fun. 
Thanks a ton for A.M.L.No. 1 
and O.M.No. 1 which have arrived 
on board in the last two days, the  
contents of which I simply devoured. Keep 
up the good work, my darling. You 
know last night I got back to our tub 
at 2 a.m, retired to bed and had a 
vivid dream of you & I at Barkers Road 
clasped in each others arms with you  
creeping right inside my soul. I hope it  
was an omen for a speedy return to 
the shelter of your embrace.

2/ 
The Perth folk have been splendid to us, 
the Railways running free trains to the 
wharf to bring us to Perth. you ought  
to see their trains. 12 miles in three- 
quarters of an hour and the trams 
would rotate you, But, darling 
this place is a gem, the Swan River is 
superb. Yesterday we were driven all 
round Perth and the scenery is 
beautiful. If dough is available I  
heartily endorse W.A. for a honeymoon 
We had a half days leave today 
and having given the city a turn,  
gravitated to Subiaco for tea, then 
pub crawled our way to Syd's 
friends at Victoria Park whence this 
epistle emanates. We have to be on 
board at midnight but somehow I doubt 
whether we will make it 
Replying to your query, we got a big  
bag of stuff from the Comforts Funds 
on board and they are paying for 
our transport from Fremantle to 
Perth. We have the N.Z. boys with  
us and they are great chaps.