Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 4 - Part 5 of 14

No.55 
VX38483 Gnr. M. Billings. 
2. Aust. Hy. A/A. Regt. 
A.I.F Abroad. 27.1.42 
Dearest Kay, 
Sorry my letters have been 
infrequent of late but owing to the  
operation I told you about in my last  
letter, its a bit difficult writing or  
rather it has been. Today is my big  
day. I've been allowed to rise from the  
bed in which I've languished for a  
couple of weeks for one whole hour so 
it won't be long now before I'll be 100%. 
Gee, t'was a funny sensation when my  
clogs first hit the floor but was able  
to toddle a few yards after a while.  
How are you faring back yonder? 
Not letting the yellow menace get you  
down although things seem to be pretty  
warm in that quarter. Damn sight 
safer here in the M.E. 

2/ 
Still I have an idea things will go our  
way shortly. I'm afraid your letters 
 are going to dodge me for a while worse  
luck but I'm hanged if our mob did  
not sneak off during my stay here and 
 just where and when we'll go after  
discharge is a mystery just yet. Haven't  
had any more letters since No. 97 but 
 maybe t'others will catch up. I hope mine 
 reach you O.K as it would be terrible for  
both of us to miss out. Are you restricted  
to a single page yet? That seems to be  
the scheme over here now. Will send you a  
cable first chance. Address future letters  
to me as per the heading of this, prefixed 
 R.H.Q and endorse the corner "Please hold".  
So for a little while, sweetheart, cheerio and 
keep your chin up.  All my love  
Mick 
*PJ Foy*

VX38483 Gnr. M. Billings. 2 Aust. A/A Regt 
A.I.F. Abroad 30.1.42. In hospital. M.E. 
Darling Kay,
I'm very sorry that this is not in reply to further letters from
you as since your letter No.97 the mail from Aust appears to have 
petered out and now my unit is no longer honored by my presence 
letters for me addressed as formerly will have some travelling before 
I get them if I ever do. It's rather annoying for besides my 
deprivation, the thought of your penning them, sandwiched between 
hefty loads of work for maybe nothing is not a happy one. It 
looks as though our lengthy screeds are to be a thing of the past now 
as a limit of one page has been imposed but by writing on both sides 
of the sheet we can water that down. After receiving your No.94. I had 
intended to reply in kind but will have to knock it on the head 
for a spell but when things clear up, the chance to do these things on 
the old system will be eagerly accepted. In a letter card sent you 
the other day, I told you how to address future mail, i.e. substitute 
R.H.Q. for C. Section, 5th Battery. That's the best I can devise just 
now as those of us left in hospital expect to be delivered to the 
Regtl. Headquarters when we are discharged. As your folks have let 
Nipper kick up such a shindy, maybe we veterans will be 
bobbing up around your back-door to lend a hand so as you 
can guess Dame Rumor is very busy. Still it will be a while 
before this baby figures in the fray after having my gizzard 
prised open but I hope to rejoin 5 Battery one of these fine days 
wherever they may be. After all this time, I would hate to lose 
them for keeps. You will be pleased to know I get better

2/ 
every day and today am up for the afternoon. The sun is quite warm 
and I revelled in it for an hour. All things considered I've made a good 
recovery as I was pretty punk for a few days. Still when the war's over, 
I'll show you my operation so will leave it at that. I had a cable 
from Mum yesterday so the Army authorities must have shoved me on 
the casualty list and wired her. Damn them, I suppose the wire scared 
the daylights out of you and she. When you get this will you drop a 
note to Mrs. H. J. Andrew, 114 St Elmo Rd, Ivanhoe and tell her that her 
hubby (my cobber Harry) can't write just at present owing to changing 
his present address but will do so as soon as he can. Thanks. 
In the absence of news, I am taking it for granted that 
you are still going strongly and striking your blow for freedom 
in fine style. As so much is happening in Aussie now, I'm quite 
narked not knowing all the news but I pray God will watch over 
you as he has done so far so will not be anxious. Having been in 
a surgical ward when some of the smashed up jokers from the 
desert have come and shed a foot here and there, I feel a bit 
chastened when I'm inclined to rail at my lot as thousands have 
had to put up with a little hell of their own who that makes such 
things as no mail, no home comforts and a tummy-ache 
rather insignificant. Besides I've got this out for nix whereas some 
quack in peace time would have stung me hot and strong to do it. 
Well, sweetheart, that's all for this budget 
and I hope it affords you the customary kick. Was delighted at 
the arrival of those letters for your Xmas Eve. The greatest of good 
fortune to you and all my still impatient love. Cheerio. 
Mick 
  
PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial

30.1.42
BY AIR MAIL 
PAR AVION 

Miss. K. Clarke, 
548 Barker's Road, 
East Hawthorn, 
Victoria, Australia

*105 
PR00610 
Australian War Memorial*

No.56 
VX38483 Gnr. M. Billings 
2 Aust A/A Regt. A.I.F. Abroad. 5.2.42 
Darling Kay, 
The Lord only knows when this will reach you now that 
the Airmail Service has been suspended but having learned 
the good habit of writing you regularly I shall keep it up 
in spite of these upsets. Conventionally but none the less 
sincerely I hope this finds you in the best of health and not too 
drooping spirits also your kith and kin. I must confess the 
prospect of not getting your letters is a most unpleasing one but 
I guess its another one of those things sent to try us and 
anyhow perhaps the mail routes will open up again soon.
Let's hope for the best. I'm still in hospital but will be 
getting my marching orders soon. The tummy has healed 
up fine and having been up and about for over a week 
am fairly strong. Dashed nuisance though the boys moving 
off as I don't know where I shall be sent from here. Probably 
back to Palestine and thence by torturous channels to the unit. 
Trouble is I have had all my worldly goods dumped here 
and I don't fancy doing any heavy carting for a while. I 
s'pose it will all come out in the wash. 
After I last wrote you, your letter No.98 
surprisingly turned up and was I pleased to get it. 
I hope some more of mine reached you before the ban

2/ 
came along, should have done anyway. It will be a fair cow 
now as so much is happening in Australia from both a 
national and personal standpoint and a chap will just have 
to trust in God and hope everything goes along O.K. 
Glad that cable reached you even if belatedly and also for your 
Alibi, I thought that's what had occurred. Very pleased you 
are not killing yourself over that job, hooey to all that patriotic 
guff and you'll be better in every way by keeping a bit up your 
sleeve. By the time this arrives, that hot summer you are all 
moaning about will be a memory. It's still winter here but 
today its an omen for a red hot Egyptian summer this year and 
I'll be pleased to get out of it but who knows it I might be 
going from the frying pan into the fire. Fancy old [[Flan?]] being on 
the movies, I was wondering before how he and the others are 
faring now that the Battle for Singapore has started. Pleased 
that Fay is back home although the aftermath you described is 
a tragic one. Thanks for the snaps, they were most welcome 
and with the exception of Mum you all looked fine. She has either 
aged a lot or the sun was shining right in her eyes and she 
screwed her face up. I'm hoping its the latter but perhaps that's 
self-deceit. Well, my sweetheart, I'mve exhausted my coverage 
so will conclude. As always, all my love and keep 
saying we'll join up together soon. God Bless you, kiddo. 
Mick 

Opened by Censor 
PASSED BY CENSOR 340 
56 5242  
 
Miss. K. Clarke, 
548 Barker's Road, 
East Hawthorn. 
Victoria. Australia

A.C.F. 
3 Opened by Censor 
Suez.
Received. 
21.3.42 
Written 2.2.42