Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 5 - Part 10 of 12

2/
given up residence now so the 'wives' colony is
practically no more. Them's were the days.
From the tone of my letters, you
can see the machine has absorbed me once more
but the nostalgic feeling is still running strongly.
Just have to soldier on, I suppose and hope for
the end to dash along soon so that you, Junior
and yours truly can get stuck into the domestic
hurly-burly. One thing the powers are hoeing into
us with plenty of work so one's thoughts can be
pushed aside for the nonce.
I shall pop in and pay my
respects to your guardians today and give and
receive the news. Well, believe it or not, thats all
I can bring to mind today, my sweet bundle.
so shall fish out an envelope now to contain
todays budget and then ransack my plentious
wardrobe for my promenade to the seething
metropolis. So, piddlekins, my dairy maid,
ta-ta for a brief interval and may your
dreams be rosy ones. My benediction to Richard
and/or Barbara to blend with the oceans of
love and kisses I hearby send her you.
Your bedmate,
Micky 

PR00610
Australian 
War Memorial 

18.1.43

Mrs. Michael Billings,
548 Barker's Road,
East Hawthorn,
Victoria 

PR00610
Australian 
War Memorial 

Brisbane. 19. 1. 43.

Darling Kay,
So once more hubby sits him
down to communicate with the little woman
and as befits such a gent commences with
proffering his deepest respects and hoping that
this billet-doux finds her in the best of
health and spirits, in spite of the many
dampening influences of our day. The writer
takes pleasure in reporting himself swell from
the bodily aspect which I suppose is something,
but I fear me a trifle incomplete. As far as
one may in these exacted surroundings, I
have settled down to the tedium of the service
but yearning thoughts of you, Richard/Barbara
and the household to be creep into the
vision now and then and ilicit many a
sigh. But, precious, enough of these pinings
as we have bundance and fortunes often
enough. We must just plug along and get what
kick out of life prevails until the clouds roll
by and we’re a couple of civvies again.
I look forward to your epistle
sweetheart which ought to drift in tomorrow. Your
letters are as bright a spot in my life as ever.

2/
As already stated I hiked off to
the hub of Queensland bent on an orgy of vice
or something. The fact is I was loaded with
messages from the lads and was buzzing up and
down Queen St, panting and sweating. After
my labors, it took me about six pubs to find
one that had a drop of beer to assuage the
thirst. I then went along to the Wintergarden
and saw “Reap the Wild Wind”. T’was quite a
good show of the sea back in 1840 with some
great photography in color. Plenty of meaty
action and amid perilous seas, wreckers of
ships and all that stirring stuff. Off then
in pursuit of grub, the usual hunt and wait.
you will well recall. I intended to drop in
at Rawlings on my way home but it was
9 o’clock when I got back and didnt like to
go in so late. Will have plenty of time next
leave day so shall call in the afternoon.
Cleaned up my washing today and what a
heap of stinkers confronted me. All nice and
sweet now, hanging on the fence. Thatis all
thats happened so shall prepare for night
co-operation. Cheerio for a while, me darling
bundle, sweet dreams and all my love.
Yours always.
Micky.

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

19. 1. 43

Mrs. M. Billings.
548 Barker's Road.
East Hawthorn.
Victoria

PR00610.
Australian
War Memorial 

Brisbane. 20. 1. 43.

Darling Kay,
First let me thank you for your
letter to hand this day am and am so glad
your despondency has given place to a more
chirpy mood. Don't be ashamed of feeling
fed up occasionally, sweetheart, its purely natural
when one's life lacks completeness, as long as
you don't let these moods conquer you. Anyhow,
from personal observation, I don't think the
fortitude you've displayed during the last few
years has deserted you in the least. As long
as we don't let the blight of hopelessness creep
over us, will last the course out and carve
out that future we wait for.  After the ups
and downs of recent times, I like to believe
will do a good job particularly as we've
already got a start along the right lines.
I hope and trust Milady
is feeling high, wide and handsome when
the postie drops this through the slot. It's
reads so comforting to learn that you've
had no recurrence of last month's fright.
When I say fright, I mean fright too. Just as
well your pet quack was summoned, wasn't it?
You'll be just a normal ma from now on,

2/
I bet. You know, I would give a lot to be with
you in the coming months. By the way, how is
that lad behaving? If he annoys you, Ma,
box his ears. I hope he doesn't turn out
such a cheeky, coarse scamp like as his mother.
Today here has been like
any one day, the same old routine we love
and admire. No rumors at present of
impending departure but when it comes it
will sudden. After filling in the morn with
sundry tasks, I was shanghaied into a
fatigue party to go dig some gravel. Boy,
what a job! Six of us to load four trucks.
Finished up quite ruined and gravel all
over me, in places I'm too polite to
describe too. Still, after a cooling shower,
and a repast of gigantic rissoles, I feel
like a giant refreshed now. A pint of old and
mild soon to be purchased won't touch
the sides.
Well, little piddlekins, that's
all so off with you and have a pint of milk
on me. Bye. Bye, bundle and drink to our
next cuddle. A big kiss and loads of
love, sweet. Love to all the folks.
Micky 

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

20. 1. 43

Mrs. M. Billings.
548 Barker's Road.
East Hawthorn.
Victoria.