Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 5 - Part 1 of 12

N.S.W. 27.5.42 

Darling Wife, 
Continuing our ball to ball 
description of World War No. 2, I hope 
this finds you fine and dandy and 
straining at the leash for our gala day 
Sunday. By hokey, I'm looking forward 
to seeing your rosy countenance and holding 
the form divine in mine arms. I simply 
refuse to think that any fancy tactics 
will arise and crush our meeting although 
the projected move I told you of in yesterday's 
letter is definitely on but by the grace of 
God, surely it can wait until after the 
week-end. It's funny, or is it, that when 
we finally fix something up that this 
sort of thing arises just to torment a chap. 
If the move was down Sydney way, I 
wouldn't mind as that would be better 
still but we've been tricked so often 
that I want to make a certainty of the 
next week-end. If (I hardly have the

2/ 
nerve to say this) our plans go haywire 
I'll either ring or wire you and at least 
spare you the journey in vain but in the 
meantime, lets ignore the dread thought 
and we can let out a big sigh of relief 
when my fears are proved unfounded. 
I won't repeat my dope of the other night, you 
know what you have to do so carry on 
like a good 'un. 
Your letter No. 9 arrived today 
and am pleased you have been having 
a bit of fun in Sydney, a solitary existence 
in a flat is hardly an ideal life for a 
most charming lass just having skimmed 
the cream of married joy. So do enjoy 
yourself whenever you can, it does help 
a lot, don't you think. Your punting 
episode was not so bad, getting the edge 
of the bookies takes some doing. Frankie 
Byrne is sure some chef, I had the 
pleasure of a noble repast at his flat 
when I was at Ingleburn.

3/ 
I wouldn't mind putting in a few weeks 
there, maybe our move will be in that 
direction. 
I got a letter from Mum today 
dated 14.1.42 and after all this time 
the news was quite funny. Ancient letters 
are turning up all over the place just 
now! Your plea for me to salvage some 
6 ravens fills me with silent mirth, my 
treasure. I haven't seen such a thing 
since I last saw you and will be lucky 
if we aren't on the makings or perhaps 
you'd better bring along a pipe. But phooey 
to such small stuff. I only want you 
and anyhow the stink of tobacco doesn't 
improve us. In my mail today I got 
my bank statement and there don't 
appear any credits to me from the Dairy 
Board for some little time. Bother 
having to pay that dough back though 
it shouldn't be a large amount.

4/ 
Precious little news from this dump, the 
weather has been unkind, although the 
rain has ceased and a cold Southerly 
has taken its place and overcoats and 
Slickers are definitely being worn. I'm 
sick and tired of pigging it in these 
flimsy tents, jammed like sardines. You 
have no idea how the creature comforts 
turned on when first you were my bride 
warmed the cockles of my heart. Give 
me a cosy bed and you my love and 
how I shall perform. You know, you are 
a honey in bed, those glamor suits 
and your soft skin would give me a 
very pleasant form of insomnia just now. 
Well, sweetheart mine, pray 
that Sunday is a lovely day and in 
advance, heres a big hearty kiss 
just to tell you I love you. Cheerio. 
Mick 

PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial

NEWCASTLE 
3.30PM 
28 MAY 1942 
N.S.W AUST. 

27.5.42 

Mrs Michael Billings 
Flat 1, The Gordon 
117 Macleay St. 
Potts Point 
Sydney N.S.W. 

PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial

N.S.W. 28.5.42 

Darling Wife, 
I write you once more to 
greet your bright eyes and send you 
lots and lots of love. And is my 
bundle of sweetness full of beans as I 
fervently trust she is and shall I say 
on pins and needles for next Sunday. 
Betcherlife your lord and master is 
properly on tenderhooks for that day 
to dawn and full of plans to spin out 
the time allotted to me by my masters. 
The latest 'furphy' is that our departure 
won't come off until next week so 
ay the Lord smile on us and let us 
bring off our coup successfully. Gee, I 
won't breathe truly until I'm scudding 
off into Newcastle to grab hold of my 
little parcel of wife and whisk her 
off to her lodgins for an embrace 
or two. We have two [[kinds?]] of

2/ 
fellows out here, lovin men and drinkin! 
men and I aim to be King of the 
former on Sunday. I shan't write at 
much length tonight as this should be 
the last letter to reach you before I see 
you. 
Just one important thing for you 
to do and hop into it as soon as you 
can, precious. Regarding that bloody 
allotment, you now have to go along to 
the District Finance Office of the Army 
at Sydney and furnish them with 
particulars of your new address and your 
wish to have it paid into your bank 
account. In fact tell them the whole 
history of the business. You'll find their 
address in the phone book, I suppose. 
So just for a couple days, darling 
all the best and all my love until 
we go to town love. Micky.

28.5.42 
Newcastle 5-PM 
29MAY 
1942 
N.S.W. AUST. 

Mrs Michael Billings 
Flat 1. The Gordon 
117 Macleay St. 
Potts Point. Sydney 
N.S.W.

PR00610 
Australian 
War Memorial