Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 9 - Part 1 of 12

AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND In Conjunction with Y.M.C.A.
(Use Military Address Only)

N0 VX38483. Gr. M. Billings
C. Section 2/5 Aust. Hy. A.A. Bty
2/2. A. A. Regt. A.I.F 
25 6. 43

Darling Kay
It will please you to know
that a ray of Sunshine stole into
my life in the shape of your letter
No 45 and my poor pen cannot
describe the pleasure it gave me after
a washout for a week. By the number
too theres about half a dozen pushing
me so any time now I expect a goodly
swag. I'm extra pleased you are so
fit and bright, an item that was
a heady tonic and a good augury
for your visit scheduled any time now.
I disagree with you on that, you are 'the
news' to me all else is subordinate
Soon you will be restored to your
pristine beauty of face and form and
free from the uncomfortable and
helpless feeling that I know irks you
a lot. You are remarkable person, you
seem to be approaching your task
with a zest and cheerfulness that

MAIL YOUR LETTERS A.P.O DO NOT MENTION MILITARY ACTIVITIES

2/ 

is very comforting and I know I shall
have every reason to be very gratified vvv
at the result and very proud of you
Exceedingly nice work sweetheart. 
Your advice about the decision
of Dorcas and Ron was the first I had
heard of it and I confess I got quite
a pleasant surprise as I had not
counted on my bachelor sister getting
hitched. It goes to prove one is never
too old to learn and as a staunch
believer in the institution of marriage,
I am mighty pleased although like us
I guess they will have to wait until the
war ends before enjoying wedded bliss 
to the full. I suppose there is a
letter from Bub chasing me around
to tell me all about it. Anyhow I have
written a screed tendering my felicitations
and so on, which I hope reaches her
before the ceremony. You know how
attached she and I are so I'd hate
not to be able to slip in a word 

3/ 

of praise and good wishes before it takes 
place. Lousy of her to put it on while
I'm away as I'm always partial to an
occasion of celebration and have no
objection whatever to consuming a swag
of food and grog paid by someone
else and have been known to air
my eloquence in a speech of congratulation. 
l really enjoyed my own wedding
and they tell me most grooms have a bad
time of it. It must be a complex of mine. 
Good to see a couple more
from me have reached you. I've been
able to dash a few pages off every
few days so I think you won't be too
badly treated both as regards speed
and regularity. So that's something
tangible to keep us in touch with our
respective doings. I've just about put
in a couple of months on the long trail
towards some leave but it will be a
long time before that day comes along
as in spite of the words of Mr Forde 

4/ 

its not thrown about much. Still I don't
thingk we are doing too badly up here
now so circumstances may pop up to
improve prospects for a reduction of the
sentence. I daresay Service here will
leave its mark on us but if I get out
in good shape thats the main thing.
I'm feeling very well in these changed
surroundings, cool weather is a great
boon. I don't expect to be here very
long and think my next move will be
in the direction of the old mob. 
It seems that I have
come to the end of my letter for
today so will move on to a letter to
Mum. Its a half holiday today so
a chap can hop into a letter or
two. So long, darling and
I send you all my love and do 
hope you won't be used up. 
Yours ever 
Micky 

Air Mail
25.6.43

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

AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCES
PASSED BY CENSOR
870

Flat 8 
32 Fitzroy St 
St Kilda 
Friday. 

My dear Kay
I received your letter this morning
and have just come back from ringing the
hospital and have been told you are doing
satisfactorily and your dear Richard much better.
Oh Kay my dear - I do hope everything goes
alright for you both and you''ll be remembered
in my prayers. I asked the hospital if I could
possibly see you tonight - for I've decided to
travel to Albury tomorrow instead of today and
explained the circumstances to them, but they
were very firm in their refusal. I was terribly
disappointed but of course they know best and
are responsible for your welfare and cant take
any risks - anyway I'm going to have another
go at them tomorrow if time allows me. It
all depends on which train I have to take - for if
I cant book on the express, I will have to travel
on the early train which leaves about 4.20 pm.
An urgent telegram has just arrived from Syd
saying he is still in the pink - so there must
have been another air-raid that I haven't heard
about - Thank God he's safe. I have been
thinking of you so much Kay dear and only

yesterday dropped you a line - but I did get a
shock to hear your news - never for a moment thinking
Richard would be early. Keep up a good hope Kay
and heart for I'm sure the Doctor wouldn't buoy your
hopes up if he didn't think your wee Richard had
a good chance of survival. You must be longing
to see him - I know I am - and his dear mother.
I will ring the hospital the day I come home and
if you are there on the Tuesday I'll be out to see
you - in any case I'll he writing to you again
from Albury- so will keep in touch that way.
All my love Kay dear and I'll be thinking of you
and praying for a bright future for you, Micky
and little Richard
Your friend
Dorothy.

26/6/83
Mrs Michael Billings
St Georges Hospital
Cotham Rd.
Kew.

VX38483 Gr M. Billings
C. Section, 2/5 Aust Hy A.A Btty
2/2. A.A. Regt. A. J.7
28. 6 43

Darling Kay
Loud and prolonged cheers, sweet, the drought
broke yesterday and how. Ten letters for me, six of
which were from you up to No 48. Nos. 44 & 47 have
yet to arrive and should do so perhaps tomorrow. Consequently
I feel a ton chirpier particularly as the news of yourself
was very good, under the circumstances and as your
strenuous time is now imminent. I shall pray for
a fitting reward for your labors extra care and hope
the answer to them is communicated to me very soon
now. Good to see my letters are reaching you in fast
time and help a little to inspire you to the great deed
you are about to do. I've got one away every couple of days
so there's quite a few speeding southward to you. I hope
the doc's theory that your present foul feeling may string
out a fortnight is off the target, poor dear, you must be
tormented waiting for it to be all over. I like to think
that when you receive this, the ordeal will be over and you
have had the luck so see the mite we have been blessed
with. I don't get much fun out of thinking of you down
there with the newcomer and me away out of sight up
here, a cow of a setup if ever there was one. But I
must not moan, lots are worse off than me and and our
[[sojourn?]] in Brisbane was a marvelous break that will
not be forgotten in a hurry with a tiny reminder to
jog the memories of those perfect days.

2/
I had a letter from your mother recently which I answered
yesterday and its swell thats she is keeping well. She's a
pretty wiry customer and her work is a good stimulant
Idleness is contrary to her nature. I reckon, too intelligent to 
rust away. Thanks a lot for the parcels, the contents sound
appetising and I know the trouble you would have to procure
the articles. You mustn't worry about any more for quite a
while as we are not by any means starved here and you
must attend to your own wants. An occasional cake (butter
not essential) will fill the bill admirably plus any paper &
envelopes you can accumulate. The shortage down there
is more than equalled up here particularly enveloped
which is damn bad management on someone's part at a
time when such materials are so much in demand and so
essential. I suppose its another racket produced under the
guise of wartime restrictions. Fancy expecting people to be
satisfied when they may not be able to write their loved
ones. It won't come to that I suppose though. By the way,
you can write on both sides again as I've accumulated
sufficient backs now for my notes. Very nice a windfall
has come your way again and I bet a few quid is very timely
at present. You said it would go to defraying hospital and
doctors fees. Wont the sum I sent you be sufficient for
that part because I thought it would and will feel
badly for not giving you enough for that those items? The 
other points for discussion can be left until I get a green
envelope as it is a subject we ought to talk over. My 
opinions correspond with yours, anyway the exigencies of
Army Service well have a big say in the matter.