Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 2 - Part 9 of 14

4/
Very sorry at the news of Frank O'Bryan & Les Ridge
both posted as missing. I have a bit of news of
them which I can't disclose just now.  Between you &
I, a fellow from Frank's unit told me that he was
killed in Greece but they exaggerate sometimes and
perhaps he managed to survive his wounds.  Funny,
a Women's Weekly was around the place the other
day and I saw Swanees photo taken in Malaya -
the poor chap looked pretty gloomy. Have handed
to Bob your fond sentiments which he reciprocated. 
He is well and has just passed me. Well as
I have to do my toilet, eat a sumptuous breakfast
and walk about a mile to another post at 8
o'clock. I must toddle along and close for a day or
two sending you all my love.  Will write
again at first opportunity but there may be a gap
between this and my next although not of long
duration.  Good night, little one.
Mick 

By Air Mail
Par Avon

Passed By Censor
No. 3100 

Miss. K. Clarke
548 Barkers Road.
East Hawthorn
MBrehens Victoria. Australia
China Department
Mutual Store
Flinders. St

Written
12.7.41
Received 30.7.41 

No. 24
VX 38483 Gnr M. Billings
C. Section. 5th Aust. Hy. A.A. Battery
2nd Aust Hy A.A. Regt A.I.F.
Abroad.  16. 7. 41

Darling Kay,
And to onward with this week's chronicle
- let me first inquire Solicitously for the good heath
and Spirits of you, my love and trust that your
answered will be as per your letters Nos 42 & 43,
that is that you are well. Your picture beams out
your assurances and I did love the snap inclosed
with No 43 which in my humble opinion eclipsed
the previous ones. I must confess that I have
studied it dozens of times today.  and  There must
be some expression at characteristic about it that
has been missed by the others as a terrific wave
of longing & loneliness passes through when I gaze
upon you, a feeling I try to keep in check until
we are clasped together again.  However the "worried"
look about you together with your family and braces me
up to now for quite my debonair self again, thanks
be as when I [indite?] my weekly [epostle?] to my heart's
desire. I like to try and be cheerful and gloss over the
painful part. Your Lochnivas is very well at the
moment except for a few small sores which are

2/
rife amongst us just now. This dirty country with its
hordes of this causes any cut to fester very quickly and
getting them healed up is somewhat difficult. The
compulsory daily shave has to be executed very
gingerly as the flies are poised in the air waiting for
blood to flow and let them make merry.  My dial has
been exposed to the solar rays, for 6 days on and from
6 am until 8 pm each days and so feel for me when
you think of my vigorous stubble getting narrowed each
day. I had a half day's leave in Tel Aviv yesterday
and kept indoors all the time. I have long since
passed the suntan stage and am now well advanced
into the [[negroid]] now with several months yet to go.
I am received a nice little wallet from the R.S.S.S.L. a
and can now [[pattoul]] those [[Smifer]] snaps in good
condition.  We have just been paid and if I get leave
again will have a picture took to send you.  Also
the parcel I referred to recently is now on its way to
I hope you get it before Christmas or even perhaps a
certain day in October.  Further, two packets of
papers blew in today so your generosity is not altogether
fruitless. Thanks sweetheart for the letters, snaps, c os
and papers (you're the loveliest thing I've ever known)
Being a trifle unfinancial yesterday Harry & I had a
quiet time, went to the Ophid Theatre and saw the
Great Dictator and enjoyed it too. Pink theatre
though. As leave is precious, I don't look book

3/
attempts to store my fun and when a fond few parent
permitted his offspring to [[dambed?]] over my head. I
blew him up considerable. The humble I [[terailite?]]
stands in awe if not in admiration, at the rude
soldiery of the A.I.F, I can tell you.  By now, I
guess Tom & Kath have been joined together in
wedlock and I hope my cable bursting with
frustrations and what not arrived beforehand. You
will soon inform me on that and other aspects of the
"do", I daresay. I was saddened by your news that
your dear mother has gone down the hill a bit and
hope by now she has had some good cheer from John.
Have been out of touch with his mob lately but from
what I can gather, they were on the same job as us
so everything indicates he will be going along strongly.
Do you know, I have been nicknamed Clarke Gable
and some of the lads are giving me hell - Perhaps I
should feel flattered but I look more like Paul Roberson
just now. I smell sarcasm somewhere. Glad that
Syds brother is still on terra firma - as a matter of
fact information I had from a bloke in his unit
was that he had been bumped off.  That's what I
omitted to tell you last letter so let the fall die. I hope
that the mail is smiling on you once more and

4/
you have got many past No 18. With this that
makes this for you to receive so surely some have
got home.  Ours has been quite regular lately. That
G.E letter seems to have made a hit with you, and
my own.  Your letters make me feel are my sole time.
As I look at your sweet face crowned by that
mass of curls. I throw back the shoulders and give
thanks that the beautiful woman there portrayed
is mine, body and soul. When I review what
things you have written to me since I went away.
can you wonder why I love you.  You've proved
yourself by being at your best when the road has
been rough and as one who admires people who
can take it and give it, why I love you
needs no further explanation. The first night
I'm home I'll love you with some ardor, so much
so that sometimes I'm afraid I shall hurt you
but knowing your love for me. I'm not sure that the
boot won't be on the other foot.  Still, I think it
would be as nice to surrender to you as to capture you.
Pray God we shall soon be together again. Your intuition
is, I think sometimes influenced yo by your supplications
and now, darling, send [perforce?] a trifle abruptly but
feeling and sending you all my love and admiration
Love to all your folks. Bye. Bye, Mick 

24
AIR.MAIL

Mrs. K. Clarke
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria

MBehrens

Passed By Censor
No.3100
Australia

written
16.7.41
Middle East.
Received 15.8.41 

No 25.    VX38X83 Gnr. M Billings
C Section 5th y Aust. A. A Battery
2 Aust. Hy A. A. Regt. A.I.F. Abroad
25. 7. 41

My Darling,
I am very glad that after a lapse of nearly
a fortnight, opportunity has presented itself to
permit your devoted swain to let you know he is
very well and for a change free of sickness or disease.
Also for a change I'm pleased to be able to report
that I've seen a bit more of the Middle East,
after the monotonous Palestine [[relife?]] with Jew
& Arab. In other words I've had a screw at
Syria and the fresh fields & pastures now were very
welcome. Have not been into the interior as yet
but went up the coast as far as Beirut which
Scenically is very picturesque. Its surrounded by
rugged hills towering over the Mediterranean
and they are mighty big hills too, Mount Lebanon being
11000 feet. The place that most took my eye at
Beirut was the American university to which
come students from all over the World. Its a
striking place built on the slopes overlooking