Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 7 of 14

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL
FORCE
PASSED BY CENSOR
136

17-2-41

Miss K Clarke
C/o China Department
Mutual Store Ltd 
Flinders St.
Melbourne Australia

S M Kimpton 

At Sea
Between Perth & 
Bombay
22 3 41 

PR00610
Australian War Memorial

A.C.F.   AUSTRALLAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division)
With which is affitiated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

At Sea. 20.2.41
Darling
Here's another billet doux that a
Friend of mine on MX3 is taking back
to Melbourne and which will
reach you through Brother Charles.
As this is under the cap. I can be a
bit mor less Secretive than usual.
Firstly we are still bowling
along at a good ship clip through the
Indian Ocean and as the Mauritania
is a great goer and the grub still
good, quite enjoying the voyage. You
folks in Aussie don't know what heat
is. I have never perspired so much
in my life and by the time, La guerre
fini will be a real lean lantern
jawed Digger. We crossed the line
yesterday and will reach a port
probably Bombay in a few days. Thence
have not the foggiest idea. Anyhow
if we get any leave at Bombay will

A.C.F.   AUSTRALLAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affitiated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

2/ 
scout around for a gift to send you
as a souvenir.
As I write, black out 6.30
now approaches and the two-up
Schools on the upper deck are
going hot and strong, quite an animated
Scene. Although I sweat profusely and
naturally feel uncomfortable, I feel
extra fit and as there are plenty of
sea water showers, some relief can
be obtained
Now Something about you. Every
night when I turn in, my thoughts
turn you to you. Owing to heat.
I sleep undraped and as I
get drowsier and drowsier, I can
almost feel your Soft loveliness clasped
in my arms with your drifting fingers
caressing me .  It is a bitter Sweet
Sensation as I yearn terribly for you
but feel soothed as I can

A.C.F.  AUSTRALLAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

3/

almost recapture your presence. Great
will be the day when my dreams
become a reality and I will once
again bask in the Sunshine of
your love. So. Puss, take a little
comfort and keep up the good
work so that when I return,
This cruel separation will fade
away like a nightmare. I really
never knew how much I loved
you until I had to face this and
this at least will cement our
love for ever after.
Well. Sweetheart, good-bye for
a little while and before you
sleep tonight smile just once for me
and say a little prayer to God to
keep me fit for you. With all
my love, Kay
Mick

20.2 41

Miss K. Clarke
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria

Bombay 
Harbour
per Mr White
21.3. '41

PR00610
Australian
Mar Memorial

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

Bombay Harbor 23.2.41
Darling
At time of writing I am not too
well pleased with life. We have been
anchored 3 miles out from the city for
3 days now awaiting transhipment to our
ultimate destination and so far have not
been allowed ashore. very tantalising
I can tell you because the Mauritania
good ship though she be, will forever
have black memories for me. I don't
know what you have learned from Dot Ridge
but since we left Fremantle, Syd has been
in the ships hospital with one of his dreaded
attacks of gout. Anyhow, the hospital people
dont seem to have had the dope to fix him
up so the pain and swelling have
persisted although we did not dream of what
was to follow. Syd was getting more
fed up as each day passed and two days
ago bluntly asked the Doctor what was to be

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

2/
the outcome of it all. The reply was that
he was to be boarded and judging by
the way the medical people view gout,
a strong possibility of being returned to
Australia and discharged as unfit.
To make matters worse, I was roused from
my toilet yesterday by an a hospital
orderly with a message to pop up and see
Syd.  When I arrived he told me he was
going to be landed at Bombay to some
hospital at other for his ordeal. Within
an hour, he was put aboard a small
steamer and where he is now, I have not
the faintest idea. I understand and that there
are military hospitals at Bombay, Poona
and Dalarli so if I get ashore it will be a
hunt to find him. So. sweet. it looks like
that we are both sunk and I can tell you
I feel very blue about it and poor Syd
was just about heartbroken about the
prospect of being dumped back in Australia

A.C.F.   AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND [Victorian Division]
With which is affiliated the R.S.L. War Service Fund

3/
under such circumstances. Not that I would
not give a lot to be going back to you
as this separation is hell, but you
can understand, that after all this time
one's feelings to be ripped out with the job
still undone and at the same time.
branded as a flop. There is, of course, a
chance that he will get past the Board
so I'm still hoping that Old Nugget
will come back.
Well I suppose you are anxious to
hear about our first taste of the East.
The harbor here is magnificent (although
the water is muddy) and is dotted
with hundreds of small native boats.
Dhows, fussy launches and tugs with
The Acquitana, Mauritania & Lieuw
Amsterdam dominating the Scene. One On
one side. the city is spread out right at
the waters edge, a mixture of gorgeous
mosques and modern buildings