Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 6 of 14

3 
Syd rang up home today and I  
booked a call for you at work 
but as this time is 2 hours behind 
Melbourne I had to cancel it. I  
thought you might be at my place 
tonight so booked a call there but  
could not get through as the line was 
fully booked. Stiff luck but will 
try again if opportunity occurs. 
  
So my Sweet, we say au revoir 
for now. Sending you tons of  
love and praying that soon 
I may find that haven of peace 
and joy that reside in your 
arms. 
Ta Ta 
Mick

6.2.41 
  
MISS K CLARKE 
CHINA DEPARTMENT 
MUTUAL STORE LTD 
FLINDERS ST 
MELBOURNE VICTORIA

Perth 18.2.41

OM2 A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund
  
At Sea. 13.2.41 
Sweetheart 
After a lapse of a day or two I again 
take up the pen to let you know that your 
hope and pride is feeling very fit and  
enjoying the sea voyage exceedingly. The lapse  
is due to the benevolent Army in  
granting its warriors some leave in the 
particularly Sunny West. It was a  
violent change from the attitude adopted 
toward the Diggers in the Eastern States. The 
people were very hospitable and wined & 
dined us to the full, nothing too much trouble. 
Syd & I cavorted all around the place  
and visited practically every convivial suburb. 
So, darling, our taste of active Service to 
date has been excellent. 
We are well out to sea again  
now and there is great conjecture as to our  
destination.  But I have long ceased to worry 
about that as Father Army has no doubt 
arranged all that. Yesterday, I had a

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund
  
2/ 
spot of guard position well below deck and 
being accoutred in Life Vest, Respirator, 
Water bottle and Tin hat just about 
stewed.  However that is over now and I 
am now ensconced on the promenade deck  
hand on knee and replete with food and 
drink. The weather is mild and the salty  
tang of the briny deep filling one's lungs. So  
things might be worse. By Jove, an ocean 
trip in our ship with you would be  
[[Snifter?]] and when I return I think we shall 
save our pennies for a long voyage. 
Poor Nugget is off color today, 
his foot causing him some pain, the digits 
are quite puffed up and I think he 
will have to lie up for a while. I hope 
it won't be long as we understand one 
another so well and both of us would be 
like lost sheep separated for long. 
I was so glad to have your letters  
which came aboard at first port of call

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund
  
3/ 
and I need hardly say were eagerly read. 
I can hardly contain myself until the  
next arrive. I hope there will be a  
shoal for me. Well Sweet, all things 
come to an end so will say good-bye for  
the [[hance?]] Sending you all my love and 
a large slice of admiration for your 
spirit. 
Cheerio Mick 
P.S. Hope you received my telegrams 
  
SNKimpton

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL 
FORCE 
PASSED BY CENSOR 
136 
  
13.2.41 
  
H.M.TRANSPORT 
  
MISS K CLARKE 
c/o China Dept. 
Mutual Store Ltd 
Flinders St 
MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA 
[*SNKimpton*]

At Sea 
Between  
Perth 
& Bombay 
22.3.41 
  
PR00610 
Australian
War Memorial

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund
  
At Sea 17.2.41 
Darling 
I'm sorry our prearranged idea of 
checking whether our letters reach their destination 
is a bit amiss at this end because we do 
not know how our letters will be sent as  
our next port of call is still unknown. 
You may rely on me to try and keep track  
so will call this letter No 3. I was very  
pleased to get your two at F Perth.  They 
made me feel less cut off from you & 
I now eagerly await your spicy budget. 
There is nothing in the  
way of news from here as we are doing 
exactly each day what we have been  
doing since embarkation and life 
such as we spend it becomes a bit 
monotonous when one is confined to the 
end of a ship. Where we're going and  
when we shall get there is still a 
mystery and knowing the army lads,  
a vast field for speculation.

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund
  
2/ 
Forgive me, Sweetheart if my letters seem 
a bit stilted but as they have to be  
censored by our officers, some natural 
constraint is inevitable. You will 
probably receive this at the same time 
as No 2 so I imagine two letters in 
one day will give you a kick and help 
relieve the tedium of the Mutual. In 
passing, give Noel a kiss from me  
and ask her to remember me to Tubby 
Casey and to tell him Bill Henley from  
Nathalia sends him greetings. 
I will not have to cadge on any of you 
in Australia just yet as I seem to  
have adequate supplies to go on with  
-there is plenty of stuff on board in the 
canteen quite cheap and we have been  
paid 30/- since embarkation. Well Puss 
that ends this chapter and I now retire  
Sending you all my love, 
Mick 
[*SNKimpton*]