Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 1 - Part 8 of 14

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

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The opposite side is a row of hills 
stretching back as far as the eye can
see, in all quite an enchanting vista.
One building called the Gateway to
India, a arched colossus with a
dome towering above built right at the
water's edge is particularly arresting. A
view of the skyline shows an odd
mixture of East and West.
The native boats full of bananas
and cocoanuts have been alongside for
days and to watch the lads haggling 
about prices and lowering "their" cash
and raising the fruit in baskets to
the accompaniment  of curses, Aussie and
native is fun. The natives though
positively stink and are a very poor lot.
To see such filth and squalor makes you
yearn to be back in our show. It is
said that we will tranship tomorrow
and will get leave before sailing. So

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

5/
I might get a look at Bombay close 
up.
We have been getting duties galore
lately and I am having a few hours
off guard to write this letter. I am
looking after two boys who stowed
away on the Dutch Ship and at
Fremantle and hav have been sent
over here to be returned to Australia.
Both them are n only 18 and it is
a terrible thing to dump two kids
in the cells here for trying to get into
the scrap. The jug here is not joke
iron bars, close confinement and so on
and such a sight does not make the
damned Army more attractive to me.
Well, sweetheart, I think I have
groaned enough for one day so will
line up for Mess now. This letter
is coming back  w via a member

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

6/
of the ships company.  Please don't tell
anyone that they carry letters back
uncensored as they may get it in
the neck. Sorry pet !
So  chin chin for the time
being and give my love to all your
folks and for yourself the same as
I told you last time.
Mick

PS Had no letters since yours at
W: A - eagerly awaiting another
batch soon

MISS K. CLARKE.
CHINA. DEPARTMENT
MUTUAL. STORE. LTD
FLINDERS ST
MELBOURNE. AUSTRALIA
 23.2.41

5 Kings Grove. Tranmere.
26.3. 41

Darling
Awfully sorry I haven't been able to write for a
day or two having been away on a job for a while but
having got back to the billet now shall get stuck into it
forthwith. Was pleased as Punch to see a small stack of
mail awaiting me and have now received your No.s. 99,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ,14, 15 & 16 which was a goodly feast
forsooth. Was particularly tickled to get the latter on
account of it being the first after our dialogue per telephone
and the change in the style of yours before and after was
shall we say, marked and although your optimistic forecasts
are a bit premature. I I fear me, they were none the less
exciting. Had I got here on one of the early ships, I
would have got you to pop over here but by the time I got
my bearings, half the lads wives and mothers were here and
the stinking heads stopped it by refusing interstate permits. Now
they are departing homewards as our sojourn in this fair city
draws to a close. Soon I may be bobbing up in a new
locality and who knows some leave. I'm not so exuberant as
you as I'm afraid to believe that such a boon as home
leave can really happen. Anyhow when it does happen
we can rely on our mutual inclinations to pass away the

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joyous moments so the need to make plans at long range.
Now that you're on your new job, I can't ring you as you
"connies" work funny old times but why not pop over to
my place and ring here (F2559). The phone service is very
busy but I'm usually here until 9 am, 12 noon until 1.45
and from 6.30 onwards. Havinge been giving the night life the
go-by as our temporary home is so snug and I feel like
the cot most nights. Since arriving I've been putting on flesh
and am now close on 13 stone. I won't answer many of
the things in your earlier letters now when I see you we
will have much pow-wowing to do. Very pleased that G.E.
letter reached you as I've always had a hunch a little love-
making even if by proxy did not displease you. Let it be a
faint warning of the shape of things to come, fair creature.
You've looked for it and you'll cop it hot. I remember in one of
your recent screeds describing your deshabille whilst reclining
in between the terrors of a juicy summer's day, torturing me
with visions of your alluring form and frilly scantees and
things. I'm not too well up in the underwear fashions so
pardon if scantees aren't frilly. I remember bloomers from
boyhood days but don't you wear em, they look awful.
Boy, when you start pouring out the dammed up feeling

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that permeated your letters, I'm either gonna be very happy or
pass right out or you. Its also good-oh to know your
strange symptoms of the telephone were caused by only
ecstasy and nowt else. You'll have to cultivate that suavity
and self-possession that distinguishes me from the ordinary
mortal. Nuts! Don't hand me that guff about adjusting
myself on the boat, all I thought about was getting enough to
eat and hoping no stray torpedoes euchred us. Yes. I'm
afraid I've changed somewhat, quieter than ever for one
thing, the sun has ironed me out and I'm that damn
tired of the war and its deprivations that I'm a bit grim
and tough. I guess hunger for your love is at the root of
it all so see what you can do when we meet to woo me back
to a normal state. First, I must show you my operation.
I'm very proud of it, believe me. The Doc told me he had to
chase the appendix (not appendicts) all over my gizzard so
I've got a record slash. Like a telegraph pole done in deep
purple. A real show piece. Gee, I hope the leave comes
along soon as I wanna tell you of all sorts of things in
person. Now, don't ask any questions but when I march in
on you, I'll have another surprise to slap down. Fill in
your leisure by hazarding guesses. All I'll say is

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that I reckon you'll think it a pleasant one. I would in
your place so in these days of strife and turmoil, a
pleasant surprise won't go amiss. Glad that parcel
reached you and thanks for doing the necessary distribution
of the contents. Well, an impatient  Sergeant requires
my attendance just now so must toddle. Therefore,
my dear madame, I crave your indulgence and promise to
do all in my power to accelerate our long promised
interview so that our respective standpoints by may be
amicably discussioned in full expectation of a satisfactory
outcome. Believe me to be then, dear lady, your
most passionately affectionate and ardently yearning
swain.
Michael
PS After Grandpop, no angels in our family

ADELAIDE
430am
28 MCH
1942
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

26.3.41

Miss. K. Clarke
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria Australia

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial