Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 3 - Part 13 of 14

No 49 
VX38483 Gnr M Billings C Section 
5th Aust. Hy. A/A Battery 2 Aust A/A 
Regt A.I.F Abroad 5.12.41 
  
Kay Darling, 
This is to inform you that although at last 
three days have elapsed since I last wrote you, the 
passage of that brief span has not impaired my good health 
my unbounded vigor of my unquenchable thirst (sorry I 
mean spirit. Hell of a lot of the possessive pronoun 
in that last sentence. May I express the hope that you 
equal me in each of the above mentioned virtues 
as I feel sure you do.  Furthermore, your dear mother 
is as fit as a fiddle I hope and your allies Ada, Will 
and Red Nut also can report present and correct. Be a 
good girl and give them my love and best wishes. Whilst on 
the subject of our mutual friends, kindly convey to Noel, 
Fay, George and any others you encounter Seasonal greetings 
and Kind regards. I think, that covers everything in 
the greetings line and before I forget Rob Sutton thanks you 
for your good wishes and most heartily reciprocates. He's just 
back from Cairo and spent most of his time belting the tripe 
out of the little white ball.  Terrible to be old isn't it? 
At least, that is what I told him. 

2/ 
Next we have the weather - Winter has at last laid its icy 
claws upon us, the days are marvellous, a wee drop of 
sun, a fresh breeze and snow (Oh yeah). But the nights, 
that's different, they are pretty chilly and climbing out of 
the blankets at 6 a.m positively appalling. The swimming 
brigade has dwindled appreciably the briny deep having 
developed a chilly touch. Today, our crew started the day 
right by acting in a sanitary capacity if you can guess what I 
mean and tonight it is my privilege to devote a large portion 
of my sleeping hours to play nursemaid to the snoring throng 
that inhabit these parts. As usual, juicy news is hard to 
come by, my travels outside camp for several days being 
limited to a visit to the local  brighouse whereat I witnessed 
the sparkling comedy "Honeymoon for Three" with our favourite 
Ann Sheridan. Very funny show. As Yuletide draws near, 
preparations are being pushed forward with the object of 
having as good a time as is humanly possible although nothing 
could take the place of the old-fashioned family festival.  Still 
and all, it bids fair to be a jolly fine effort so you folks can 
have the consolation that us lads are doing pretty well for 
themselves.  Since I last wrote, I've received some more 
papers from you and others, thanks very much, kid. 
Those 1000 fags I told you about have now got a donor.

3/ 
In Mum's last letter, she told me they were from Chas and now 
I recall that some months ago, she mentioned he had sent a 
parcel of smokes.  Since its arrival, none of the other parcels 
have turned up.  Had good news today, the pay bloke blew 
in today to smack another bob per day into our pay books 
so that will help the restore the credit I had before Cairo 
got down on it. That must be one of the few rises in Australian  
pay obtained without having a preliminary Strike. Last 
mail day I received your No 83 and was pleased to read  
that you had had two letters from me.  Thanks for the 
Xmas shopping only I hope the following letter reaches you before 
you blew the coin also thanks about the stamps.  Please 
Puss, will you post me a small cheap boot-brush as my 
old stand-by is giving up the ghost T'a. Delighted that 
you are sleeping OK so it would seem you've overcome that 
obstacle.  You had better lay in some reserves as the war may 
flop and I can promise you you will need your strength & 
stamina.  But reading further, you had me blushing, steady 
on, my lady or my hat won't fit me soon.  Seriously, I'm 
glad that particular screed pleased you as for days after I 
wrote it I had a dubious feeling that persisted.  At best, 
I thought it was a curate's egg kind of letter but if you 
reckon it was O.K. let's leave it at that. 

4/ 
I don't want to offend you, sweet, but those chunks about the 
war, its sides and length take up space that I think 
could be better filled by more about you and your doings. 
You know we used to do plenty of chin wagging when 
alone and I look forward in your letters to seeing as much of 
that chat translated on to paper as your pen can produce. 
Your letters are and always have been champion and because I 
value them and only get them once a week, it seems wrong 
that there's anything in them that you just glance at.  If you're 
crooked on me.  I will find refuge in the fact that you told me 
long ago to tell you of any short-comings in your letters.  And don't 
forget, that arrangement cuts both ways and I'm sure there's 
plenty in mine to criticise. 
It's Mum's birthday soon so much get off 
a cable for the occasion.  With your letter I had a batch 
from Mum, Sheila and John one from Dorcas and a Xmas 
card from Arthur Newton, not a bad result, eh? Am 
enclosing a couple of snaps collected in Cairo to grace your 
album with more to come later. So, Kay, I will 
dodge off now and do a spot of work and close. Sending 
you all my love and may God help you and bless you.  
Mick. 

45  
AIR MAIL 
Miss K Clarke,  
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria Australia 

Written 
5.12.41 
Received  
24.12.41

No 49. 
VX38483 Gnr M Billings, C Section, 
5th Aust Hy. A/A Battery. 2 Aust A/A Regt, 
A.I.F. Abroad 16.12.41 
  
Darling Kay, 
When you come to compare the date of this  
with that on my previous screed, no doubt you will mutter  
darkly at my neglect but this time I've got a good alibi. 
To my sorrow, I've had another sojourn to the hospital with 
my regular bout of fever but am now back to the daily 
grind feeling good-oh again.  Twas the usual variety, 
temperature, pains and aches and the shivers so 
they bunged into bed for a few days after which it 
subsided. Must have been bitten by something in Syria and 
the virus kicks on again periodically.  I landed in a 
British hospital this time and they looked after me fine. 
Damn nuisance of course but over here in the putrid 
East, you're mighty lucky if you don't see the quack now and 
again.  One thing, it was quite an experience living with  
Tommies, Jocks, Springboks, Kiwis etc and while waiting to 
be discharged knocked out lots of fun with them.  It was 
easy enough getting in to the hospital but took me four 
days to get out.  Anyway snoozing in a bed with sheets 
and pillows is not to be despised, and one good 

2/ 
thing about the fever it takes some of the surplus off my 
bingy. Well enough of such a gloomy subject.  Now that 
the Nippons are playing up, I guess things back home 
have changed considerably.  Was worried at first that they 
might have to cancel the air mail service but it has been 
published that it will continue so it won't be so bad. 
Hope things go along O.K as the home mail is the brightest 
spot for a chap over here and I could guess your feelings 
too if the postman didn't call.  So far, so good anyhow as 
the mail arrived today bearing your No 87 also letters 
from Uncle Tom and Syd. While I was away your letters 
No.s 85 & 86 blew in so you're going swell. Thanks, sweet 
for the letters, blades and stamps.  Very pleased to see you 
are O.K and plugging along in good style at the Big House 
Also the parcel of smokes and socks from you have arrived 
in good shape also the tooth brushes from Mum.  Do you 
know, I'm a bit sorry I had you kind folks send me 
smokes as the position over here is O.K now and probably 
they would come in very handy for yourself as by all 
accounts you don't have too many. I'm not ungrateful 
mind ye, but under present circumstances it seems a bit 
mean taking them from you. I certainly got a surprise 
getting a line from uncle Tom and the old Scamp sent 
10/- worth of canteen orders. 

3/ 
Well, Bright-eyes there should be a few items in your letters 
to yarn about so let's have a screw. Before I forget I sent 
you a Xmas cable yesterday which I trust reached you 
in good time for the festive season.  It's a cow that the latest 
developments will dampen things to some extent nevertheless I'm 
hoping all you people will have an enjoyable day on the 25th. 
I suppose the people will carry on like they do over here. 
Xmas comes only once a year, war or no damn war. Glad  
you have been able to sandwich in a few hours to do the 
Xmas shopping, that flagon of Scotch is a brainwave 
for Chas. I know you'll do a good job with my list.  I 
was very sorry to read that your mother wasn't so good lately 
tell her from me she'll have to cut that kind of thing 
right out as when us lads return, there will be some 
celebrating for her to do.  Giver her my love and best best 
wishes for good health and spirits.  And to Ada, Bill 
and all the rest I send my love and best wishes.  By 
Jove, it was a surprise you running across Hilda [[Tuohy?]]. 
As a matter of fact I've just obtained an English 
stamp and was going to drop him a line so your remarks 
were quite a co-incidence.  Awfully glad my letters to 
you continue to arrive more or less regularly.  Bob.

4/ 
Sutton was glad his letter had reached you and of 
course now looks forward to your reply.  He's keeping 
well.  The weather over here is pretty chilly now. for 
a few short hours in daytime it's fair but the wind 
toward evening goes right through you and it will get colder 
yet, I daresay.  Gone are the days of sweet undress now 
together with the Suntan but Summer will return too 
damn soon I suppose. It's good that Ma and you can 
still fit in a few hours to do a show together as it 
would seem a good time is had by all.  Due to the 
causes outlined earlier, I haven't been playing lately 
but should get along to the movies soon (I hope).   
Well, Lady Clarke, I seem to have run out of news 
just as well maybe as the lamp is doing likewise with the 
kerosene so will make this one a trifle shorter than 
usual.  As I've fallen behind with my mail I shall 
take up the pen again in a day or two and carry on 
with my tale.  For the time being, adios, sweet lady 
and all my love for you, 
Mick