Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 2 - Part 4 of 14

2/
Casting aside any attitude of deception, it seems only
too true that the war will keep me away from
your loving embrace for another year. I say this in
all sincerity because that it the official attitude
over here and desp though I have sometimes been
hard on you darling, I can't as much I would
like to, paint a rosy picture just to lull you into a
false state of mind because you, my only love
have always had my confidence whether the tale was
good or bad because I could have never have
loved you if I thought that you could only consume
sugar coated pills. I realise that a soldier's gal
has a hard row to hoe and like you, I shall
always be grateful to those who by one means or
another have done something to distract your
mind from that aching emptiness that afflicts me
sometimes with a poignancy that hurts. But if
you can keep the flag flying, I know that I
for my part can go ahead in the dark days
that are to come if I know that when the
job is done, I can come home to someone.

3/
Sweet and virginal one who will be able to
pave the way for the establishment of a happy future
so that this separation will at least be worth
while. As yet I have not been in action and
of course have not been subjected to the strain of
action against a hard foe. However, the boys
fortunate enough to get out of Greece have camped
nearby and their stories, a bit colored perhaps,
makes a chap realise that the job of sconing
the German Swine is a stiff contract and
will necessarily leave its mark on the lads.
However, as the Old Man told you our job is
not the most arduous in the Army and but despite
that, I feel so fortified by the assurances of prayers
said on my behalf, that I will come back in
one piece with an outlook not too warped
by the horrors that are part and parcel of
war. So darling keep your hopes and spirits high
to enjoy that peace and happiness that you deserve
if any one did and which I swear I shall bring
to you, God willing Another thing, Puss,

4/
the natural temptation to a red blooded man
for the associations with the fairer sex will never
overcome me. To be honest, the kind of women
that associates with the A. I. F. are not enticing
to my taste anyway and I shall be content
as long as the vision of the lovelight in your eyes,
the memory of your kisses and caresses recurs to
me once a day. A man is fortunate to have
known such a love is yours and the expectations
of its fulfillment on that glorious day when we
shall be wed will cause keep a fire burning
within my soul that will sustain me until
that joyous day when our twain are clasped
in one anothers arms never again to be rudely
torn apart. Actually, darling, this is intended
to be my first real love letter, alas my poor
pen can only play soft chords when I mean
to charge this black and white with all my the
passion and ardor that clamors within me.
So I let my upsurge now subside and say adieu
full of love. Yours forever. Mick.

A.F.W 5078(M.E.)
AIR.MAIL ACTIVE

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NOTE:-
Correspondence in this envelope 
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contents are liable to examination at the 
Base.
The following certificate must be 
signed by the writer:-
I certify on my honour that the contents
of this envelope refer to nothing 
but private and family matters.
Signature
Name Only
Michael Billings

(Up to three letters may be forwarded in
this Cover, but these must be all from the 
same writer. The cover should be addressed
in such case to the Base Censor.)
17

A.F.W 5078(M.E.) 
AIR.MAIL ACTIVE 
  
This envelope must not be used for  
coin or valuables. It cannot be accepted 
for registration. 
NOTE:- 
Correspondence in this envelope  
need not be censored Regimentally. The  
contents are liable to examination at the  
Base. 
The following certificate must be  
signed by the writer:- 
I certify on my honour that the contents 
of this envelope refer to nothing  
but private and family matters. 
Signature 
Name Only 
Michael Billings 
  
(Up to three letters may be forwarded in 
this Cover, but these must be all from the  
same writer. The cover should be addressed 
in such case to the Base Censor.) 
17

Address:- MISS. K. CLARKE.
548 BARKERS. R0AD.
EAST. HAWTHORN.
VICTORIA
AUSTRALIA.

Written
22.5.41
Palestine
Received 21.6.41 

No 17.

Vx38483. Gnr. M. Billings
5th. Battery 2. Aust. A. A Regt.
A I. F Abroad 30. 5. 41

My Darling Kay,
Firstly your eagerly awaited letters
Nos 29 & 30 are to hand for which 10000 thanks. It
would appear to our great joy that "Par Avion" has
resumed its regular role and the consequent arrival
of letters from the Sunny South gives one something
to write about as news from this dump is rather hard
to produce. Also letters from Mum & Dorcas arrived
today and I was very pleased to hear from Ma
as nearly 3 weeks had elapsed since her last.
I certainly agree that this war is tough on the
parents for it appears that despite an effort to
inject a cheerful note into the screed, she feels a
bit blue. I am sending her a green envelope letter
by this mail which I hope will give her a bit of
a guffaw. Although the son & heir is no doubt
greatly missed, my health and safety have not as yet
been endangered so you can wheel out the
encouragement to an unlimited extent. To get on
with the washing, I m sorry the rigors of winter
have caused you some discomfort and illness

2/
and sorry I can't do anything to restore you to that
state of ruth rude health. Anyhow, I like to think that
for weeks past that happy state has been achieved
and in week ends you are smiting the golf balls
mightily over the green sward. This laddie is
very fit and well and with a bit of mental
stimulation lately, feel as good as I ever did
The plain grub, plenty of sunshine and fresh air
coupled with the absence of opportunities for
dissipation keep you that way, the only things to
be feared being trifles like colds, sand fly fever
and one too delicate to mention nevertheless
most inconvenient, y'know. In fact, a case
causing much merriment at one unfortunate's
expense is right among us now. Plain case of
cruelty but boys will be boys. And now to repair
to your tender billets. doux. Re No 29. I envy
you Suburbanites a drop of rain as I havent seen
a skerrick for months and a Melbourne day
of wind and rain would certainly be exhilarating.
Cold does not worry me unduly but on these
Sunny Middle East days I a man can raise a
goodly Sweat.

3/
Sorry your mail deliveries have been spasmodic
but as you knew the cause, you probably did not
feel so bad as when confronted with no mail
and no reason for tardiness. Still you had better
be prepared for periods when you will get no
news of me, the same as in the case of John. So
Missy, when the black out is in evidence keep
your chin up and stand by for the cable I
will resume our communications with. Glad you
met A. Lance, Old Lionel and Arthur - you've got
the wrong slant about the latter, he has a great
nature and in my happy youth, found him a very
affable bird. Don't try to turn my head with such
flattery. The festivities associated with the O'Dea
harnessing sounded very inviting, I would not
know what to do at a gay and hearty, my style
for social usage nowadays is more the boisterous
variety. Talking of taxis, a ride around Jerusalem
and Tel Avi in a taxi in the black out is
something you would enjoy although to be free from
the damned black out which has operated since leaving
Melbourne would be like lifting a veil.

4/
No more papers have turned up but, of course that
occasions no surprise. I hope the parcel in transit
reaches me before I have to go elsewhere as a parcel
such as you folks would send conjures visions
of high feasting. I'm posting you the Parade this
week as permission to do so has been granted.
Glad to know your mother and Sylvia have got a
boost in the shape of a letter from John. By the way,
I'm dropping a line to your mater belated though
it be. Seeing the pendant has gone over so well,
I must get you some similar trinkets when the
powers that be deign to cough up some leave.
Remember the good old days when we got 3 days a
fortnight; over here have had 3 days in 2 1/2 months
and none in prospect. Can't be worried though.
Fancy old Flan still reposing at N. S. W, thought
by now all the A.I.F contemporaries of mine would
be abroad. No doubt his turn will come although it
must upset his mother. Thank Alice & Ada for
their feelings and give them my love in return. Well
my chunky lover, I am going to ease up on the pen
now and in doing so, send you all my love and
prayers. Sweet dreams, Sweetheart.
Mick

AIR.MAIL     PASSED BY CENSOR No.3164   

MISS. K-CLARKE.
China Department
Mutual Store Ltd
Flinders St.             17
Melbourne. Australia