Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 2 - Part 7 of 14

BY AIR MAIL 
PAR AVION 
20 

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

written 
23. 6. 41 
Received 
15 . 7. 41 
No 20

No.21 VX 38483 Gnr M. Billings 
G Section, 2 Aust . A.A Regt 
5th Battery . A. I. F Abroad 
29. 6. 41 

Darling Kay, 
Joy and jubilation! Guess What?
Yes, the parcel has arrived and although
the tin has collected a few hearty dents
the contents opened up in good order & condition
and sweet, were a ray of sunshine in an otherwise
prosaic existence. The cake suffered a rapid
eclipse and was most toothsome. I am
commanded by my adherents, Gnrs. Williams,
Christie, Cohen, Andrew, McMillan, Smith,
Thaimayer and Sutton to convey congratulations
on your culinary efforts and thanks for the
opportunity to try it out. Aub Smith, by the
way, also celebrated his birthday on the 24th
and as his gift has not yet arrived was pleased
he had a home-grown cake to sink his fangs into.
The contents were very aptly chosen and can be
pretty well pressed into service pronto. The
chocolate has nearly all gone and the bikkies
will be lucky to survive the night, in fact its
delivery was very timely as my once fat purse
is almost empty consequent upon a days
leave yesterday and a week to go

2/ 
until next pay day. Thanks a heap honey
you know that if the parcel had not been sent
in error to some other unit, I do believe it would
have reached me right on the 24th. For good
measure, your letters No. 36 & 37 & one from Syd
have arrived in the past few days so this week
was quite a bumper show for the lad. In case
I forgot to tell you I have received to date three
bundles of papers from you. I hope that you are
being as well treated as regards mail although
to my sorrow there are no parcels in transit to you
and from our new hangout cannot send any
more Parades. Still, the letters are what
count, aren't they? I did not tell you that I had a
letter from Jack Ellis in which he devoted a good deal
of space to describing his rapid rise in the Choccos
culminating in his expectation of getting a commission.
Why do these people have to hand us that sort of
tripe, they certainly don't seem to realise that in
other parts of the globe, their fellow countrymen
are fighting not for their lives and don't feel like
tidings of promotion manouvres. - With us
the militia is rather like waving a red rag to a
bull. A fellow ought to really write him a snotty
reply, but but it would be a bit tough to ruin
his composure I suppose.

3/ 
Syd in his letter told me about your night out and
it seems the occasion was a goodly one for all
present. His letter was a champion effort, chaps like
him having some understanding of what sort of
dope to put in a letter. Yes, sweetheart, you must
take care of that school-girl complexion and those
graceful curves because when I come home I demand
that you look like a typical Aussie beauty
bearing not the slightest resemblance to the
scraggy Arab or buxom Jewess who are the only
representations of the gentler sex to gaze upon over
here. Between you and I, the Tel Aviv wenches
have the largest posteriors under the sun and
I trust, panties. Thanks for your details of the
mater's health as in her letters she minimises
these bouts. I don't think the censorship forbids you
to discuss the informational situation but please
don't you start that too. I have to listen to
dozens of amateur diplomats here for a big
part of the day so be a good girl and continue
to write as you do. At any rate, I'm convinced
after more or less being in battle zone for months
that the true story is somewhat at variance to
that doled out by the B.B.C. and the daily Press. 
However I am talking about the same subject I'm
asking you to lay off so lets call a halt.

4/ 
After tea Having dined well, returned to my
action station as it were, and broached your tin
of Westons Squares, let us to our muttons. The only
particle of news for your delectation this week is
the announcement of my bit of leave once again
at the Jewish Centre, Tel Aviv and after keeping the
nose to the grindstone so long thoroughly enjoyed
the break although I had a quiet day. When we
hopped off the bus, Harry Andrew and I took a
stroll through Jaffa, the hot Arab joint and
it was fun. While perhaps not as wicked as
Port Said, the attractions of vice at bargain
prices have given it a smelly reputation. I should
imagine that it contains as choice a collection of
thugs and demi-mondaines as you would find in
Palestine. Winding our way back to Tel Aviv we
popped in to the Aust. Soldiers Club and had a
few jugs. The place has been improved greatly since
my last visit, the best feature being the new beer garden
right on the beach front, very good surroundings for
a quiet noggin. Had a swim then, the beach is
on the Lido pattern, deck chairs for hire and so on.
The sea bottom is very crook and generally the place
cannot be compared with our beaches. Then reparid
to the Allenby Theatre and saw "Destry Rides
Again" a bit ancient but quite a lively show.

5/ 
The theatre is quite comfortable, the best seats
about 43 mils about 1/1 - Also saw a very recent
war newsreel of Allied kicks in the pants for
Adolf. Went back after to a cafe had a
huge steak, eggs, etc. etc. Several more jugs
met a bloke I met at Nathalia, a couple
more jugs and back to the bus en route for,
shall I say home. Had enough dough
for the day, but strict economy will be the rule
until next pay day. By the way, I crave your
indulgence, regarding the prissy writing, but as
I have to write on a sandbag standing up,
you can hardly expect copper-plate. Well
Curly-Thatch (How I'd like to run my fingers
through that warm sweet - smelling wealth) that
seems to be that and I must now away to
make my bed as having to do a patrol from
midnight until 3, needs must turn in
early. The sun is well on its way to the
cot too setting me a good example. So,
chunky one, goodnight, sweet dreams (of me)
and herewith tons of love. Best wishes to
Suggers, your dear mother, Noel and the
other folks. Bless your Sweet heart. 
Ever Thine 
Mick

21 
Miss. K. Clarke, 
548 Barkers Road, 
East Hawthorn, 
Victoria 
Australia

Written
21. 6. 41
Received
23. 7. 41

No.22 VX 38483 Gnr . M. Billings, 
G Section. 5th Battery, 2 Aust 
Heavy A. A. Regt. A. I. F Abroad 
7. 7. 41 

My Sweetheart, 
The Sun having lost a little of its
potency and the flies attacking only in scores
after in hundreds, I have seized a few
moments to keep faith with you as regards
correspondence and set the ball rolling with my
usual trust that you are well and staggering
along as blithely as one can expect things being
what they are. This lad is well and enjoying
the joys of a Soldiers life immensely (Pigs ----------)
Dunno why, because on active Service, you find
everything in the way of sickness and disease right
on the doorstep so to speak to say nowt of the
chance of getting an egg or two planted on top
of you, yet, a fellow looks and feels well although
perhaps he stinks a bit. It seems to me that
man despite his civilised veneer is not far removed
from the animal kingdom inasmuch that if he
gets his belly filled and can crawl into a hole
when danger threatens, he does not physically
deteriorate. Quite the philosopher aren't I? Anyhow
in Tel Aviv I scaled 12 stone 7 lbs so you can see
I'm beginning to grow up.