Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 6 - Part 14 of 14

11.3.43 
Darling Kay,
Another day has passed and no
letter from thee, making it three days since the
last came. It looks as though the mail is
held up, it appears as I know tis none of your
doing but as in the last letter, you had
confessed to an indisposition accompanied by
somewhat strange symptoms, I'm anxious to have
an all clear from you. I'm not unduly perturbed
dearest as I know that anything alarming would
have speedily been passed on to me. A case of
no news is good news. Very bothersome to have
mail delays just now as while the time
remains, I'd like to hear from you every day.
I do hope your 'bad day' is now a fading memory
and that this finds you back to top form
with Richard showing evidence of the vigor that
shall be his portion, not to mention his good
looks.
I'm still located at the same spot,
when that state of affairs will alter is indefinite
but I can say that it won't be long now. Poor
bundle, I can picture you a bit downcast when
you opened your letter but from what goes on
around I don't think it will be any desperate

2/

venture but a matter of routine except that
it sends me further away from you and widens
the gap between letters. Still, I can't complain
as the past year was pretty good to us all
things considered and this inevitability was
delayed never forgotten. Regarding destination,
there's much speculation but of course, nobody
knows. I think the islands are a certainty,
the new clobber sort of giving the game away.
Still, the air mail services are pretty fair
now for those parts so I intend to keep
myself well before your eye, my pretty. It
will be a blow not to be at your side early
in July but I'll sure be very much there in
spirit living each moment as though I was
pacing the corridor of the hospital. Somehow,
I was very dubious of expecting Dame Fortune to
permit of me to be still in this glade so long
ahead and though its hellish disappointing,
it's not a crashing bombshell. It does not hurt
so much when I read through some of your
recent letters and see what an absorbing love
for the wee one has grown within you and
neither hell or high water has a ghost of a
chance of interfering with your divine mission
 

3/

It will be a marvellous sheet anchor for me to
cling to in the months ahead; when my next
leave eventuates I won't be able to get home
half quick enough to see my lovely girl
mother and his bonny babe. So, pet,
don't let this new state incommode you and
just go along as you have been. You've a big
game of your own to win so please concentrate
on that. A big lout like me feels ashamed
to ha be throwing a spanner in the works
when you have such important things to do
Give of your best to yourself and your own
child and when I see you next, what a
get together we'll have.
I heard one thing I've meant to
advise you of quite awhile and your wise
provisions have reminded fine of my omission.
It's about my testamentary dispositions, the
will is in the custody of the army. The
contents are mighty terse, everything is left to
you to do with as you think fit. My worldly
possessions consist of insurance policies, a small
amount of cash at the Commonwealth Bank
and the Commonwealth Savings Bank and
some War Savings certificate warrants. 

4/

With the exception of the Savings Bank Pass
Book & my cheque book, the others are in a
sealed envelope held by the Commonwealth
Bank Melbourne. The pass book and cheque
book I'm sending to brother Chas to keep
in his safe. I think that states the sum
of my fortunes so that's that. Silly of me
to delay so long but to us youths, there's
something grisly in talking about such a dreary
subject.
I'm on leave today and shall
prop up and see your old landlords and
convey to them your love and good wishes
which will be cordially returned. May go
on to a show but feel too lackadaisical to
make up my mind. Very hot today and
feel like bashing the spine. Had a 'do'
down here last night are feel a bit so-so
as a consequence
Well I appear to have reached
the end of my tether when the subject of the
weather is broached so to the shower bath
I shall take myself and first deluge
you with a cascade of love and too kisses
Cheerio
Micky
PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

BRISBANE
GLD.AUST.
1 AM
112 MCH
1943
AIR MAIL

AIRMAIL
11.3.43

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria 

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

12.3.43.
Darling Kay,
At last the drought has broken and
the flow of letters from the sweet one has been
resumed. To my joy your letters of 6th & 8th March
came along and it was swell to know your doubts
were soon set at rest and the quiescence of His
Lordship was a fake. After three whole days of
silence, you can picture how tickled I was to read
that your precious burden started the day right by
bestowing a lusty boot upon poor Mummy. Sorry the
microbes have paid you a visit in the shape of a
cold, nasty things, so may it be of short duration. From
your recital of the happenings at the wedding, you had
quite a busy spasm, perhaps a chill snaffled you in the
turmoil. I'm so glad it all went off so well and a good
time was had by all. Your descriptions lead me to
believe that the party looked very radiant but must
confess the sartorial styles leave me groping hopelessly.
It was criminal not to have a taste of the mast
for the desert rats. John's comments must have been a
little pungent. Stiff luck, my wine missed the bus
but will serve OK when the lovebirds return. I think
it would be preferable for you to attend to the
matter of the present owing to present developments also
I doubt whether the bank would look too kindly
on my cheques, the book of which incidentally is
 

2/

now heading for brother Chas to be guarded until I
get down again. It was nice for you to run across Sister
Fay once more after your trip down to her place
having to be deferred and I'm glad she's looking
and feeling lots better after such a rotten break.
Give her and George a cheerio from me old pal
Yep, I noticed alright your curvaceous contours as
per snap and you looked a bit inflated but not
nearly so much as you lead me to believe. I gazed
upon you mighty longingly and the familiar features
made me wish hard that I shall return to you soon.
Sorry, the letters from me have been irregular, there
must have been another of those aggravating hold-ups.
Of course I missed a couple of days when out on
exercises in the bush so may be that period has just
hit you. As you can see, I'm still residing at the
luxury lounge but signs and portents indicate an
alteration soon now. So when my letters temporarily
cease you can draw the right conclusion. I was talking
to Dang Reid last night and he told me you'd been
out there and had learned the bad news there.
I had a letter on the way to you a couple of hours after
it came out so can't understand what's holding it
up. I suppose Gwen was rather crooked on it jus
when his old man was set for the next party.
It's a blow when you get so close and come a
flop. Once again I thank you for your prompt response

3/

to my cadge and your generosity equals the many
other virtues I know you to possess in abundance.
I haven't had any wild turns yet and have most of
left but while a little time remains its handy to
be able to buy up a few things to take and have
a crank or two without having to turn every coin
over twice to see if you can really afford it.
I'm afraid the army has left me very tattered
shreds of dignity, if I ever had any to speak of,
so I'm far from rebuking you for tossing me a
quid. I don't associate you with all that nonsense
and hope to be able to toss you a decent gift soon.
I'm on leave again today and as you recall the multiple
attractions of this dump, am in a quandary where to
go and what to do. I It's on about every second day
now so how would it be if you were here. Since
you went, this dump seems lousy and no doubt
about it, you were my sunshine in those glorious
months showing me yourself in the roles I loved
and rejoiced in for so long before as well as
many new traits that unfolded themselves before
me to my huge appreciation.
When I read of your poor little
tootsies swelling up and you feeling uncomfortable.
I love you so much for what you're going through
for me and pray for the months to speed by

4/

so that your marvellous accomplishment will be over
and comfort and top line health will be some
compensation for months of hardship.
I think I told you all about
the property in which I stand possessed and
where its hoarded. If you want to know any
other details, just let me know.
Well, my precious darling
I seem to have said all that is contained in
the mighty mind so must away to the lawful
business of HM. Cheerio my d-d-dove and
I betake myself off thinking a hell of a lot of
my beaut wife and wishing I could see her for
a few minutes to tell her I love her
terrifically in the language of lovers. I
offer my firmest yet tenderest kiss, puddlekins
sweet.
Yours always
Micky

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

12-MN
2 14 MAR  2
1943
POSTED

PILLARS

AIR MAIL
12-3-43

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial