Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 3 - Part 4 of 14

Written
9. 10.'41
Received 29. 10.'41
? 

No. 38
VX38483 Gnr. M. Billings, C. Section,
5th Aust. Hy. A/A. Battery. 2. Aust A/A
Regt. A.I.F  Abroad 15.10.41 

My Darling,
The long heralded green envelope letter now
makes its bow with my sincere hope that it affords
you a meed of pleasure, perhaps win a feeling deeper
than pleasure. First as I can get only one active
Service envelope a week, I have had to enclose three
letters within its cover hence it will go to your sweet hands
in a plain cover although it is a genuine G.E. screed.
Since last writing, your No 69 has reached me and
the love-laden wishes and sentiments penned in
characteristic sincere phraseology somehow gripped me
more than those penned in like strain have hitherto.
Principally because the others came to me, living in
surroundings and conditions somehow and sometimes
remote from the strain & stress of war and battle
whereas I make bold to say that the place whereat your
intimate I message of recent vintage came at a time
and at a place where its effect could be likened to
a cooling cascade of rain on a the parched summer
earth and its fruits were as soothing on me at that
time. I now only fear that the atmospheric
conditions have not dried up within me the

2/
words to write to you in a fashion your sweet words merit.
This morning a violent although brief dust storm assailed
us but this afternoon I am happily ensconced in more
comfortable surroundings so trust I can do justice to a
job perhaps ordinary to others but so helpful to you & I.
Firstly I so glad and relieved that you are contented
in your new avocation. However much you deprecate your
resolution and courage in throwing aside a job carved out
in a refined sphere among friends of long standing, the change
to factory work carried out at irregular hours of the day &
night of necessity entails strain which you, darling, have
surmounted gallantly by keeping steadily in front of you
the purpose of your decision and thrusting aside considerations
of comfort and convenience. Although I candidly confess
that it would been a matter of indifference to me had you
continued in your old job, the point which sends a glow
through me is that after long and weary months of
separation from your lover, the sterling qualities I always
attribute to you sweetheart burn more strongly within
you after such an ordeal. The knowledge to me that
such a gem of a woman awaits me steadfastly and
even hungrily in my country gives me some of the
courage and fortitude so greatly possessed by her.

3/
As each of your letters come to me, the blood courses
strongly in my veins as the tender and passionate
sentiments of love and fidelity soak through me like the
warming rays of the sun. To think that your life
being remembers the beautiful instances and occasions of
our love to the other and dedicates her future to making
up to her man the losses he has suffered through being
parted from him. She talks of my unselfishness when
after suffering the pangs of loneliness for month after month.
She nobly glosses over the love and care that is due
to her by her man when once we are reunited. Anyhow,
never fear, sweet, the memory of your burning kisses, your
soulful caresses, everything that goes to make you just what
you are, never departs from me and when the day's
work is done and darkness steals over the land, visions
of you and your love, that which I have enjoyed and
even greater love I shall enjoy later on, rise up before
me to comfort and inspire me to keep on trying until
peace comes. Like you, I have sometimes called myself a
fool that I loved you and shall we say unsensational times
but after leaving you, I have never ceased to thank
God that he gave me strength to put aside the

4/
temptation to,
defile the fairest of the fair and leave her on the pedestal
she has always worthily occupied. No need to tell you
darling, how hard that often was, but soothed by your
womanly touch and the certainty within me that you
were never born to be a man's momentary pleasure
but destined to be his mate for a lifetime, invariably
killed the base thought. Have you any idea how greatly and
clamorously, I yearn to return to the safe and tender
sanctuary of your arms, to feel your soft lips pressed to
mine, to glory in the soft mystery of your curls, to gain
solace from the cares and heartache of the world?
I agree with you that it's not only with God's help that
we may soon be together again and like you I implore
him to give us his blessing and encouragement so that
our faith in him to end the conflict soon will be
sustained. In this type of life, two things stand out
clearly as embodying my hope of survival and my future,
the Lord and you. You both are working in harmony
that I shall soon come back to my rightful place at
your side and we can then go forward as man and
wife and live a happy life gaining and enjoying his
blessings & grace. Again, Kay darling, all the love that is in
me.
Mick.

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION

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

written
15.10.41
Received
1.11.'41

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

No. 39
VX38473 Gnr. M. Billings.
C. Section 5. Aust. Hy. A/A. Battery
2. Aust. A/A. Regt. A.I.F. Abroad
20.10.41

Darling Kay.
Without any preamble permit me first to wish
you many happy returns of the day and all the happy
things usually associated with anniversaries despite the troublous
times through which we are passing. Hoomph! In short, Puss,
you know how much I wished you a jolly good day
even though it completed your third decade which I may
tell you does not trouble me as much as you. To me, you always
personified sweet youth and judging by your letters, you
still retain it.  Although by the time you receive this your
anniversary day will be long past, to me it has to come
as I said in the cable, you well and truly be in my thoughts
on the big day. I hope the cable reached you in good
time as I got it away in plenty of time and helped in a
small way to make your birthday different from the
ordinary days. Poor darling, I imagine that with travelling
such a long way and working at all sorts of odd times,
your life is not all beer and skittles. Really, sweetheart,
your demeanor and outlook are re splendid and taking
into consideration all you have to put up with, anyone
who considers you a 'softie' is bughouse. In your lone
struggle against loneliness and a dozen other thing
you have done a marvellous job and I'm as 

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proud as Punch to have such a sterling person as a
sweetheart and future wife. You're a little champion.
Must admit I'm a bit worried as well as damn sorry
that your slumbers are not of the best and hope that long
before this reaches you, all is well once more. Anyhow. I'm
not going to fuss about it as I believe you can rectify
it in your own way like you have overcome so many other
things. Knowing that you suffered a similar nasty attack
years ago, none can know better than you what to do
about it. I find that dreaming of you & I together induces
the soundest and most refreshing sleep and I hereby offer
it as a suggestion. Don't tell me you have tried it and it
didn't work. Keep praying for my early return and I
promise you that once in my arms in the right setting.
you'll have some of the choicest brand of sleep ever
devised. Your letters to No.69 to hand and darling, they
are just as welcome and wonderful as ever. Here's hoping
you are faring as well as regards mail. The only trouble
is that the letters take such a short time to read and one
has to wait a week or more for the next. Still, with a
war on, it appears that you can't expect too much and
anticipating letters fills in time. And now, here's
something. your parcel was delivered a few days ago
and it was wonderful and as welcome as
the flowers in Spring. 

3/
Must congratulate you on your choice, not an article that
was not most useful and toothsome. Most of it has
now disappeared in the cavern and your cake opened
of up first class and tasted deliciously. Thanks, sweet
and it was a great show. I feel I would just love
to send you a whacking parcel but just now can't get
to the shopping centre.  Also have received quite a few
papers in the past week, so you can't blame me for
thinking you're a great scout. I guess by this you have
heard from John from his new billets which should be
more comfortable than the desert washes. As a matter of
fact, I think I only just missed running across him a
few weeks ago but am not sure. Had a note from Cor.
McMahon also evacuated and he sounded quite chirpy.
Always seem to be crossing their trail but just can't run
across them. Had a few hours leave the other day and
saw "City of Conquest" a damn good show too.  Ann
Sheridan is the local choice and is in practically every
show. By jove, I do enjoy a picture show over here.
Forget to say, my health is excellent at present and sun
or no sun, I'm as plump as ever. Had a bit of a scrap
a fortnight back when a few marauders blew in in the
wee sma' hours and fished us out of bed very
wrath.