Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 2 - Part 12 of 14

53/
The Comforts Fund came good today with a packet of 
fags and a few sheets of paper. Regarding your query, 
I the address you see on my letters is the correct one, the 
latest change now is from G to E. Section. Don't blame me 
its a way they have in the Army and very exasperating is 
that habit too. We're the Heavy Ack Ack on account of us 
all getting so fat. I'll certainly send you the next issue of 
the Ack. Ack if there ever is one. T'anks for the sox, kid
even though I may not expect delivery yet awhile. Don't give
me any of that bunk about not producing a good article. you
forget I have evidence to the contrary in the shape of a 
pullover. Talking of clothes, you can keep them & yourself 
quite clean if you're not in the desert as you get water pretty 
easily by boring a few feet in these parts. Also things are 
so tough over here, that plenty of folk are glad to earn a
few ackers doing troop's laundry at a reasonable price, e.g. 
clean & press long drill pants for 9' a shot. I wish I had 
known about that cobber of Irbas a bit earlier. I was
talking to some of his mob when they got back from Crete 
and could have maybe found out something. Tell her I'll 
watch out for some dope about him. Glad to hear
John is still in touch with your folks, I haven't been able
to glean any knowledge of his whereabouts. It gets me 
when you tell me of the inward sufferings of  your dear 
mother. The coming of old age I reckon is enough in

4/
itself to bear without the poor Souls having to go through 
the ordeal of war. We can but pray for an early 
ending. I've changed my job twice since I told you 
about the layers job, so as to save someone's toes from 
being trodden on. Still, to be quite truthful, matters of shop
don't trouble me any more. Dont you worry, I'm 
getting enough sleep and in this hot weather you need it 
as it saps the old vitality but its hard to get used to the
Siesta without waking up feeling frowsy. You dont want 
to expect my modest parcels to reach you quickly as its quite 
likely they will lie around here for a good while waiting for a boat. 
Cameras having been impounded, snaps are out of the question. 
but when on leave again in a town will get one taken. I 
suppose by this you & Dorcas have been in conference again and 
perhaps have drunk one or two to my health. Believe it or not, 
I've not had a jug of hops for a fortnight. In the last letter
from home, there was a snap of Fran & John, gee. I hope
I run across Flash over here. Sorry, your protegē, Noreen 
has been crook again, give her a cheerio from me. What 
did the office want to know about my inlistment for, I wonder? 
Mum did not mention it in her letter but perhaps may 
refer to it in her next. I'm sending Ada a letter card this 
mail. What hard cheddar about losing Mein Gamp. 
Your poor darling, having to shell out a couple all for
nowt.

5/
Dear, Dear, when you talk of the Aussie bushland, I give a
big sigh. But musn't start brooding. I hope to see it
all again soon with you at my side anyway. Haven't
bought you anything yet but promise to get something at first
opportunity. Trouble is that as soon as the troops come
along, prices go up like a rocket so have to be content
with modest purchases.
So now Puss. the summons to fall in
rings out so will have to obey it or else? Until the
chance occurs to get stuck into a bit more correspondence,
I bid you adiēu and of course, with this goes all my love
to you. Spare some for your mates and convey my profound
felicitations to Ada, Bill, Rea, Noel and the rest of the
charmed circle.
Whacko.
Mick

29
PASSED BY CENSOR
NO. 3100

AIR. MAIL
Miss. K. Clarke,
China Department
Mutual Store Ltd
Flinders St
548 Barkers Rd
East Hawthorn
Melbourne
Victoria  Australia 

Written
16.8.41
Received 9.9.'41 

No. 30

VX38483 Gnr. M. Billings.
C. Section. 5th Aust. Hy. A. A. Battery
2 Aust. A. A Regt. A. I. F. Abroad
22.8.41

My Darling Kay,
Well, me luv, I 'opes as 'ow this literary 
gem finds you radiantly healthy and fairly bursting
with vim & vigor. We Perhaps that's asking a bit too
much but you know what I mean. Your swain at the
moment is sweating at every pore, of his poor fever
racked body and how. Since my previous screed, I
was foully struck down by the good old fever and had
a bludge for a few days in bed, waited upon hand &
foot by obedient servitors bearing Eastern dainties and thus
nursed back to the rude health hitherto enjoyed. Perhaps
I exaggerate a trifle but anyhow am now my personable
Self once more and any minute now will be fit to
plunge back into the fray. Sorry, lady fayre, theres very
little news from this angle. Had some leave in Beirut
recently and did a couple of shows, one stage & one
movie and the entertainment was good in both instances.
Saw the Marx Bros at the Circus and that as you will
believe elicited several guffaws from yours truly. The
Roxy wherein 'twas Screened was quite a nice joint.

2/
At night, saw the N.A.A.F.S. show Mirth & Music at the
American university Hall and enjoyed that extra. The
comedian in particular was champion and pretty
rough into the bargain so soldiers being soldiers, a good
time was had by all. Filled in the rest of the time
snooping around, having shoeshines and gharry rides
and quaffing the Vin Blanc & Vin Rouge. Syrian beer
is terrible so get stuck into the plonk like the Froggies.
So thats that! And now lets see what has transpired
back your way. Your letter No. 53 reached me whilst I was
indisposed and believe me was quite a tonic despite
your fire-eating Anti-Nazi Sentinments. Tut Tut, what
a bloodthirsty wretch you're becoming. I don't think I'll
marry you, you're too savage by far. I think I reported
the arrival of your Nos.51 & 52 last letter but may have
missed something in them. Thanks for your home-grown sox
now very much the finished article, I presume. Quite
a snort of indignation yesterday when someone produced
a cover from Life headinged the Conquerors of Bardia and
underneath a picture of a line of Chocos. Fairly flicked
us on the raw, the cads. Today, the letter from your
mother blew in and twas a good effort, quite
reminiscent, of her well-remembered keen perception.

3/
War or no war, I'll bet she's still more than a match
for you at repartee. A great scout, that one. Am quite
looking forward to composing a reply. Must get her a
broach or something soon. Hope my parcel has reached
you by now, of course, it might have had to wait for a ship.
It looked bad for me mail day but right on the death knock
yours came along so saved the situation. You'll be pleased to
know quite a swag of papers from you have been delivered in
the past few weeks so have been well supplied with news.
None of your letters have been censored but funny thing the
first I have had from your mother had been opened but
nothing was chopped out.
Intermission
Having disposed of a bottle of Fosters, my first let me
tell you for a fortnight, let us proceed. Tis a gorgeous
night full of stars & things but fairly cool after the usual
hot day. Guess what I'm chewing – a Columbine all
the way from McRobertsons and very nice too. Ah, such
luxury! Very glad all the interested parties had
a letter from John and am pleased he is going along
fine. If you have worked out how the mail
works lets in on the Scheme as nobody around
these parts shares your knowledge

4/
As no dope from the revered ancestors has been around
for a while, glad of your snippings in your letter.
Delighted the mater is in such good form and
able to take a bit of time ago off to have a day out
with you stuffing your already overfed carcases with
sumptuous viands. Which reminds me that I bought
a soufled omelette t'other day and was nearly ill
after it. The old gizzard can't take such shocks.
Yes. Sheila has now started on the road in your
wake and has good reason to be a bit down in
the dumps. I had a note from her in Mum's last
letter and the lanky one sounded a bit rueful.
With Dorcas home, there'll be so much talk that all
the war worries will be forgotten (I hope)  Now
Spring has arrived, I hope your chilblains and other
cold weather trials are past and a spot of golf
comes your way to keep the blood stream flowing.
Now, Puss, I must draw down the veil
as figuratively and literally as its "Lights Out" and
I'm gonna drop the writing pad, pen and pants in
that order. Then on to my broad for 40 winks.
Good-night & Sweet dreams, little one and all my love
to you as well. All the best to the others,
A big kiss from Mick

30
PASSED BY CENSOR
No. 3164

AIR. MAIL
Miss. K. Clarke,
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria
Australia