Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 3 - Part 14 of 14

49
16 . 12 . 41

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

PASSED BY CENSOR
No. 3164

written
16 . 12 . 41
Received
3 . 1 . 42
Egypt

No. 50   VX 38483 Gnr. M. Billings , C. Section,
5th. Aust. Hy. A/A . Battery. 2. Aust. A/A.
Regt. A. I. F. Abroad   22.  12.  41

Darling Kay,
Kindly observe the serial number of this letter
old fruit and following cricketing practice, permit yourself a
discreet handclap now I've attained the half-century.  I
think you will agree that my No. 49 was a frowsy effort but
I plead indisposition as extenuation of my poor show.  As
related, my old enemy, the fever claimed me for a week and
among other inconveniences suffered, my mail got a bit into
arrears. By hokey, I could have stood your ministrations in large
doses while the fever was upon me, you know, the cooling hand on
the fevered brow, that would have made it worth while. Not that
the Doc. and the nurses at the hospital did not look after me but
when you're up there away from the boys, you get as lonely and bored
as hell and just to be back home getting treatment with the precious
personal touch would be a bit of heaven.  As though the fever were
not sufficient as a Xmas gift, the day after I wrote you, I felt
a bit lousy again and I started to go yellow around the peepers.
So off to the quack go I and am greeted with the news that I've
got a touch of jaundice.  Not serious, thank the Lord so he brings
me back to camp to rest and take salts every morning.  

2/
So here I am,  been mooching about,  sitting around, reading
and having a good bludge  Anyhow. I'm extra pleased to
report that the damned thing is being driven from the system
and at last. my appetite is coming good.  Cow of a thing,
jaundice , never had it before and pray earnestly I shall not
get it again.  It's pretty prevalent in these parts just now and
I'm thankful it did not bowl me as much as some of the
other lads.  Well. I think a page and a half of my ailments
is sufficient for one letter but as I don't hold such things back
when writing you , I've told you the whole sad story.  To pass
to a more cheerful subject, I'm mighty pleased that you are
keeping so well and trust when this reaches you, you will be
even better, having recovered from Xmas and New Year orgies 
Although from what you say, your celebrations will be on a very
modest scale.  I sent you a cable last week which I make bold
to say, reached your letter-box prior to the twenty-fifth.  Now 
that the hostilities have spread to the Pacific, giving our
folks a further direct interest in the War, it would seem
probable that Xmas in Australia will be pretty subdued. Now,
that the active scrapping is not so far from our shores, those who
were rather remote from the war have suffered a jolt to
their complacency.  I keep hoping that the shindig there
won't dislocate the mail service .  So say I, I can

3/
hear you say with much emphasis.  So far . the service has been
normal and I have your letters up to No. 88 for which
grand screeds, my heartfelt thanks.  I shall write you another
G. E letter soon but supplies of the envelopes have not been
available for quite a while.  Now that I feel more myself and
having a goodly supply of stamps (thanks to you pal), I shall
amply make up for my deficiencies in writing to you.  Working at
all hours of the day and night in that cursed factory, you are at
least entitled to what little pleasure, there that remains and as you get
the same kick out letters as I do,  I must try and keep up to
your standard and volume.  Getting back to the subject of
Xmas, you'll be pleased to know that we are making all possible
efforts to have a good slap-up dinner with plenty of trimmings.
The chaps who have been appointed to look after preparations
are hard at work and by the Grace of God, quite a happy day
should eventuate.  Will tell you all about it in my first
letter after the turn.  In recent mails, I've had letters from
Mum, John and Sheila, uncle Tom, Syd. Ridge and the
Owens family so you're all keeping up the average. Also,
a big swag of papers arrived last week and there were quite
a few from you.  Timely too, as when you're off duty, time
hangs heavily on your hands.

4/
Syd's letter was a scream and the dear old lad seems to
have recovered his old spirits to a goodly extent.  You can
imagine my surprise at getting a note from Uncle Shamus
but he plies quite a good pen so shall have to keep him
on my list of subscribers henceforth.  The Comforts Fund
dished out the hampers yesterday and the contents were
an extra good effort, everything very useful.  Our batch 
came from S. Aust.  There'll be a goodly supply of pudding,
cake and cream available for the 25th and of course, the
malty fluid will come in handy.  Still, I cling to the
hope that Xmas 1942 will find me with you partaking of
a Gargantuan feast.  Glad you liked the photo and
your idea of handing the other one to Ada a very happy
choice.  Promenading around Cairo on 7 days leave puts a
sparkle in any soldiers eye, believe me.  I hope my parcel
reaches you soon, that casket of perfume is very pungent and
strong so if you give some to any of your friends, don't forget to tell them
to dilute it.  From what I gather, the idea and processing of
perfumes in Egypt is greatly different from other countries so I
think I could have maybe bought something else.  I am
awaiting the next mail from home with great anticipation

5/
as that will be the first mail since the Japs got nasty .
I hope your weather has been more summery of late, fancy
floods in Melbourne in December .  A swim would seem
more in order but not in flood waters.  Have had to give
the pictures a miss lately of course but hope to get to a
show soon.  Some of the shows around here are quite good.
How is your dear Mother?  I hope her cold has departed long
since and she's all smiles once more.  Give her my love
and best wishes. Have not got off that letter to Austin Tuohy
yet but should do soon.  You might convey to her my kind
regards. They certainly are a great crowd, the Tuohys.
Well, Puss, that seems to cover this
chapter in my sweet young life and so will get out
the envelope now.  Before I forget, remember me to the
Sugdens, Noel and the others and give em my greetings .
So. toodle- oo, Kay and all my love and God
watch over you and bless you.
Mick

50
22 - 12 41 

Miss. K. Clarke.
548 Barker's R oad
East. Hawthorn.
Victoria  Australia

PASSED BY CENSOR
No. 3164 

written
22 .1 2 . 41
Hospital Suez
Received
24 . 3 . 42 

Social Telegram
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT
Office of Origin       Words        Time Lodged              No.            TG42K

VIA IMPERIAL      3182      ABROAD                              228
EFM

MISS K CLARKE
548 BARKERS ST
EAST    HAWTHORN VIC

LOVING WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW  YEAR KEEP  SMILING
MICK BILLINGS
2  31

THIS TELEGRAM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SUBJECT TO THE POST AND TELEGRAPH REGUALTIONS - THE TIME RECEIVED AT THIS OFFICE IS SHOWN AT THE END OF THE MESSAGE

Social Telegram

Miss. K. Clarke
548 Barkers Rd
East Haw