Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 2 - Part 3 of 14

AUSTRALIAN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
PATRON| HIS MAJESTY THE KING 
Y.M.C.A . Write Home First
WITH AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
194_
5/

Well, darling. I fear me I am
Stumped for further tit- bits
fit for a lady's ears or rather
eyes so as the sun now
descends slowly to gather some
rays for the morrow. I take
my leave on bended knee
Sending my most earnest love
and the best to your dear,
mother, Ada, Bill, Alfredo
Lou and others I cant
remember. Know nothing of Noel's
brothers, hard as I dont know
their units. Sweet dreams, Pet. 
Mick 

AIR MAIL
Pass   Censor   No. 2176 

Miss. K. Clarke,
China Department,
Mutual Store Ltd,
Flinders St.
Melbourne. Australia
  
16/

written
16.5.41
MIDDLE. EAST.
Received 14.6. 41

VX38483. Gnr M. Billings
5th Battery 2. Aust. A. A. Regt.
A. I. F. Abroad 23.5.41

My darling,
Having yesterday sent you my first green 
envelope in a serious vein of, I now commence  
to send you my weekly message couched in more  
jocular fashion so as to remove the nasty 
task that the latter former may leave in your 
palate. Well to cut out the cackle, I have now 
received your favor No 27, Numbers 25 & 26 being  
somewhere between here and Australia it being 
announced that some mail had to be landed  
on the way somewhere. I hope the nuptials of 
the O'Dea. Ellis combination went off well and  
you did not get too stinko during the aftermath.
Very pleased that my modest tributes reached you 
and the mates and met with your approval.
Not having had any leave lately and also needing 
my modest pittance to assuage my thirst principally 
no further purchases have been possible but live  
in hopes.

2/
I'm very pleased that you have got some sample
of Eastern workmanship to as a keepsake because
it is unique from our home stand point
Later
Today's big event is the arrival of your No 28 chronicle
and I can tell you that some tonic was needed
as the mercury soared well over the century
though to my relief, no violent physical efforts were
required. I'm a bit annoyed with my folks
because it seems to me they could write a bit
more frequently without great inconvenience. I've
had 24 out of 28 from you and allowing for a few
going amiss only 9 from the whole shebang at
home. Sorry to labor that point but leave is
very scarce and entertainment consequently nil
so the anticipation for mail is the big thing.
Many a mail day would have been barren but for
your constancy. The time is 6p.m. and the solar
orb has lost a little of its potency, not to mention
the hot southerly. We, the fourteen occupants are
all present & correct and at least 10 of are talking
to I've paused to request less noise.

3/ 
to resume although I'm stumped for news too, we
can get resigned to plenty of heat as summer is now
definitely here and my Palmolive skin is showing
evidence of the strength of Old Sol. The air mail
has apparently got into its stride again as the
dates of your letters can testify. Hope your ailment
has now subsided as news of such import is not
good reading to yours truly but to compensate, I've
given you some news lately of the same kidney
One of boys had a letter from Sydney today in
which it was represented that the Queen City of
the South wasn't letting the war worry them, that
never in its history had the palaces of pleasure
and vice known such crowds and gaiety. Gee,
you can't restrain a sigh because a few minutes ago.
the water was cut off  Beer is available but the
purse is a trifle slender. I'm sending you a
cheque and would obliged if you would cut it out
in canteen orders for 2/- and 3/- so that between
pay days, the wherewithal to buy a few comforts
will repose in my pocket. We are permitted again
to send home the Cairo Parade so will

4/
send you a copy henceforth Glad to know the
wedding produced a few good nights but please
don't torment me with such graphic gastronomical
descriptions - it hurts deep down. This is
my second summer without a winter here, and I would love to
experience one of those Sharp winter days just for
variety. That wish for a one night of love I
echo with loud and prolonged crescendos.
You'll certainly get killed in the rush one of those
days. You can well hope that John will get your
letters as, if he is where I think he is, the mail
service is 'on' there and anyhow the mail blokes
chase you everywhere you go. I'm quite optimistic
about your parcel as a laddie from Mildura in our
tent got a gorgeous cake today. We're like
little boys about such things here but the big
topic of discussion is Crete. The news of Pat O'Dea
amused Vic Brown. Phils erstwhile associate
Well, K.A, that will be all for the nonce so
toddle along sending to thee love and kisses
Mick

16B 
AIR. MAIL

Miss. K. CLARKE.
China Department, 
Mutual Store Ltd.
Flinders St.
Melbourne Australia

Written 23.5. 41
Received. 20.6. 41
Palestine 
  
unnumbered

No 17/ 
  
VX 38483 Gnr M. Billings
5th Battery 2. Aust. A. A. Regt.
A. I. F. Abroad 22. 5. 41

Darling
Well, Kathleen Ann and so on. on at
long last green envelopes have become available,
and as a natural consequence I have seized
one. I am sitting down to indite a letter
couched in more intimate terms than I have been
able to so far. So with that preamble, let us
begin by saying that I have and am always on
the qui vive for the home mail as on every
occasion there is that characteristic square envelope
with your darling name inscribed on the back
and naturally your ideas, hopes, fears, and general
demeanour during what I know must be an ordeal
are constantly haunting me and I must confess that
a wave of relief passes through me when the
contents reveal that despite the dice that has been
loaded against you, your tradition of courage and
determination is standing you in good stead as I
hoped and knew you it would (Very long- winded )