Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 6 - Part 13 of 14

8.3.43
My Darling Kay
Now that the tumult and shouting
has died down for a few hours at least, I can
draw up my chair and give you up to the minute
tidings as a pale apology. First your letters
of 4th & 5th March are to hand with a great
deal of various kinds of news. Gee, I'm sorry
you have been feeling off color and am waiting
anxiously for your next letter to have a better
report. Surely after you've been enjoying a good run
there can't be anything serious although I
confess I'm on tenterhooks to get your O.K. I'm
afraid the substance of my last few letters won't
make you feel any happier but please, dear, don't
be disturbed as from reports, there's not a great
deal in it except that it entails a fair slice
of travel. I shall be fine if I know you and
Richard are both well and continuing your
sterling effort. The worst feature for a while
will be a scarcity of letters but wherever I go
I'll keep a steady stream flowing in your
direction.
The photos I did enjoy and
Ellis Junior is a bonnie laddie and resembles his
old man very strongly. However you still carry

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my money for the championship. You're well
matched both the husbands being on the king's
business and you have the benefit of the last run
and know what you have to beat. I'm glad
to see your [[phiz]] on one of the snaps and you
just look the same sweet six and fourpence.
Of course, youre a bit more robust but in my eyes
thats a badge of honor and dignity. As requested,
I'm returning the snaps with thanks. Your
telegram came today and you're such a darling to
go so fast. I feel a bit guilty coming on the bot
but as the little [[l?aild]] may be hard to come
by soon, I think I might be pardoned if I play
a bit. I wouldn't have dreamed of it had you
not been financially sound and you're reminded that
I gave you a fiver some time or other consoles my
easy conscience. One thing, a few months away
from civilisation will have a healthy effect on
the paybook and on my next leave. I shall
heap upon you many good things, believe me.
It's fine John and Sylvia
managed to get things finalised for the wedding
to take place and by now they are Mr & Mrs
and good luck to them. I bet they are  a
marvellously happy pair just now. It's like 

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that when you have to wait. I'm a great champion
of the married state and I have to thank you for
moulding my opinion in that direction. I wish
I could have been there to accompany you there
and join in the rejoicing with the couple, your
mother ( and how) and you.
I went to the pictures last
night and Saw 'Blood and Sand' which wasn't
bad but no more. Today has been spent
rushing about doing this and that but the
noise has abated for a while. Any further
than that I'd better not say, you know how
the enemy listens. Next leave if any I shall
promenade in my new ensemble looking very
sickly I bet. If the tipsters are right. it
may not be long before I see my brother John.
Well sweetest bundle. I seem
to have reached the finish and as I'm pretty
tired, my thoughts and lucidity have
suffered but shall attempt a better turn
tomorrow. Good day to you, precious
wife and I am coherent enough to wish you
bursting health and vitality to which I add
a swagful of my fervent love. Kisses for
Richard and Kay are enclosed,
Micky

BRISBANE
Q'LAND AUST
1AM
9MAR
1943
POSTED
PILLARD

8.3.43

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn.
Victoria 

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

9.3.43.
Darling Kay.
Another day hath sped by and not
such a good one for me as the postman passed me
with a disdainful snort and no letter from Mummy.
So one of my main sources of news has dried up
temporarily. For the reason contained in yesterday's
letter I would have dearly liked to have heard
from you but am not unduly perturbed in the
light of your confident reassurances. Tomorrow
should bring confirmation as two days is your
limit up to date. Viewing the matter more calmly
than I did yesterday. I just can't see how anything
untoward could just happen without warning
when you've been feeling pretty right and as a
matter of fact, I feel a bit of an old woman.
Just guilty of the thing I counsel others to avoid.
So I make fair to bid you the top of the morning
and trust you have risen from your fourposter full
of beans with Richard playing a lively tattoo .
on your ribs to keep you on your toes. That's the
item that always makes my day a trifle sunny
and I know as long as you fare well I kick
on in sympathy. As you truly said a few days ago,
the coming of the tot has cemented the bond
between us creating a common interest that

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entails nurturing and teaching a very lovable thing.
The beauty of the task is that it calls upon
each of us to display the individuality directed to
a mutual goal. I'm mortified to think that
an undue proportion of the responsibility has to
thrown on your shoulders, at least its consoling
to possess the firm conviction that they have
proved themselves big enough to carry it. The
Virgin Mary will help a lot as girls like you
must endear themselves a great deal to her and
by our prayers she will reward us richly. No event
except the day we were wed has ever shone in me
such a wealth of expectancy and no matter where
I am, the tidings that you and the young master
have at last made visible acquaintance will send
me into transports of delight and by the time my
leave comes around will I be straining at the
leash to devour the two of you.
I saw the Rawling folk on
Sunday and gave them the latest news of you
and they send you lots of love. I'm waiting
to hear how the wedding went off and what
kind of a ceremony it was etc. etc. I did think
that your indisposition might have prevented your
attendance but that would have been too cruel
to contemplate. Being so fond of John & Sylvia

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their marriage would not have had a mo
bigger enthusiast than you. So 'twould grieve me
had you missed the spectacle.
From this quarter theres no
more to add since my last tale. As usual
most of the day has been spent dashing hither
and thither and generally getting little done.
When the day comes around I shall resemble
a laden mule.
Damn, another call for some
other trifle but suppose I must go. Toodle-oo
until tomorrow, sweetheart and I rush
forth leaving huge cargoes of love for
Richard & you and I'm waiting for my
next kiss in a fever of impatience.
Always yours,
Micky

BRISBANE
Q'LAND. AUST
1 AM.
2   10 MAR
1943
POSTED
PILLARD 

9.2.43

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria 

PR00610
Australia
War Memorial