Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 9 - Part 8 of 12

5/ 
  
tell you its a hearty wrench leaving them as
they are a swell crowd. I suppose therefore you
are a bit mystified at me for leaving them.
and I think you are intitled to know the
result of the strange workings of my mind.
Now that we are there, the problem of paying
the expenses of Richards entry into the world
and future provision for things likely to crop
up has occupied my mind and I came to
the conclusion that as my present show does
not seem to offer any prospect of promotion, I
had better look around for something that
did and when I heard of a vacancy at the
new place I had one of those hunches
that usually work out that here was the
opportunity I have waited for for three
years. As you know I am not without ambition
and it has irked me to be continually
passed over by what I consider less worthy
types. You can thus see that when this came
along I was at least very interested.

6/ 
  
A chap can't help feeling a bit guilty at for  
walking out at this stage of the game but
I've had three solid years of hard yakker and
now my responsibilities have grown. I m sure
that I'm doing the right thing and going to
a place where my ability can be used and
I can do better for both myself and those
who depend on me. As we are, should the
war end we would have to start from scratch
with my deferred pay as our total wealth,
and without doing anyone any harm I aim to
be a bit better t off than that and can only
do so by promotion in the Army. The O.C
of the new show told me prospects were good
if I went O.K so I've taken the first steps.
I'll have to start at the beginning, of course
and I suppose some time will elapse before
I come good. Financially, I can't be any
worse off so I'm giving it a fling. I'll be
glad to hear what you think of my
stunt.

7/ 
  
So in a short time I'll be sporting
a new address I guess and I hope it
won't be long before a more exalted
rank prefixes your old man's name. Now
that things are going well for us, pray
that I too will enjoy the success that
has attended your striving. As I see it,
our future is a bigger thing now than
ever and if this leads to us getting a
better start when we get together for
keeps, its a very worthy object.
Well, Sweetheart, that's all
for today, so will finish off now.
With all my love and a thousand
kisses to Richard and Kay,
Yours always
Micky

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Air Mail     24 7.43

Mrs  M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria

Rowntree 

M W Worley  
VX 38483  Gnr M Billings
2/5 Aust Hy A A Battery
A.I.F.    26.7.43

Darling Kay,
Things are definitely on the
improve, another two letters from you
yesterday, those of 14th & 15th July for
which accept many thanks. There are still
many letters of earlier vintage floating around
somewhere but as long as the later ones
come along. I'm not worried about them.
No papers or parcels either yet but I hope
they hang fire until I shift to my new abode.
It was brilliant to know you and the little
Dickybird progress so well, you sound like a
new person now you've come good in every
way,  your letters were like old times with
plenty of vigor in expression.  That young imp
will get his backside slapped when I come
home if he doesn't stop harassing you; tell
him that from me.  By the sound of him, 
he'll grow up into one of those [[?ds]] who
will be very much alive at all times

2/ 
  
Perhaps he resents the two foul attempts to
keep him out of the world and now he's
forced an entry he's going to make his
presence felt. Still I reckon he'll meet
more than his match with you. Fancy 
the scamp having the hide to infer
interfere with our correspondence but thats
O.K pet. I know he'll need a lot of your
attention until he grows up some more
so just relax and write when you can
grab a minute.  You surprised me talking
of  journeying to the [[ci?y]] but as you have
those things to fix up, it's just as well
to do it as soon as you can. The allowance
for Stinker is 3/ per day and you may as
well trying try to string a few bob
together after the recent onslaughts on your
purse.  I'm relieved to know you look like  
breaking even but we need to do better
than that and if this new job comes up
to expectations. I'll be able to make

3 
  
better provision for you and maybe will
have a bit put by for later. In fact,
that's the real reason why I went after this
cap as I can do the job and there are 
some good ranks going. Of course it will
take time but the possibilities are there.
The arrangements for the transfer should 
be well advanced now so this week should 
bring to a close my stay at this abode. 
I hope so as a spot of nice clean work 
will be very acceptable after my nomadic 
doings of recent months. I went out to the 
hospital yesterday to see a few of the boys 
who languish there and in my inimitable 
way brought cheer into their aching 
hearts. After tea, I went to the U.S. 
hospital to see the [[W?]]. G. Merry-Go-Round 
a stage show followed by Lana Turner 
in Slightly Dangerous. She sure was 
class particularly to we lonely 
coots up here 

4/ 
  
You'd go nuts in this joint if it weren't for  
a show occasionally. I say nice of all 
the donars to help Richard with his 
financial problems, particularly Ann 
who must have plenty on her hands as it 
is. She always was a damn fine girl. I saw 
Norm Harris again last night and he 
came across with a ride home. I'm 
awfully sorry you feel jumpy but 
when you get properly settled down 
you will feel more composed. You can't 
expect to go all that and be over it 
in a week or two so don't fret so
darling, a bit longer and you'll be better 
than ever, and above all, don't worry 
about me as things in that direction 
seem pretty right. Well after that 
masterly imposition, I shall take my  
leave of you and send Richard 
and Mummy all my love 
Micky 

PR00610  
Australian 
War Memorial

ACF 
In conjunction with
YMCA

Air Mail  26.7.43

Mrs. M. Billings 
548 Bankers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria 
  
MR Worley

THE SALVATION ARMY ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND YMCA
  
From No VX38483  Name Gr. M. Billings 
Unit C. Company, 2/1 Aust. Corps 
Reception Camp Date 29.7.43 
A.I.F 
  
Darling Kay, 
Once again greetings to mother and son 
from the old man way up north and I do hope 
both of you are terrific. Micky is pretty good but 
I don't think I've ever been so fed up cooling my heels 
waiting for this transfer to go through. Although I'm 
sure think my decision to try elsewhere is a wise one, this 
waiting around sometimes makes me think that I did 
the wrong thing. Anyhow I guess I'll last it out 
O.K but dear, they do take so long over such small 
things. If I had have not started this, I would be 
back with the boys now and that's the worst aspect 
of it, I don't know a soul here. Boy what a moan 
but I feel like letting off steam to revive my feelings 
and I must pick on you with my tiny misfortunes. 
I think its weakness as I know you are the one person 
to turn to when a chaps needs a kind word or two. 
Anyhow I suppose things will work themselves out soon 
but I confess until I get a job of my own to do, I won't 
be happy. No more letters from you since yours of the  
15th. I expect a few any day now as there must be a 
lot searching me out. I hope my next address is a 
permanent one for a while so that your letters will 
reach me as quickly as the A.P.O can function. I very 
nearly left here the other day to go back to the old crowd 
and await developments there but, was actually packed 
but was withdrawn at the last minute. I think it 
will be better for you to address future letters to the 
above address as by going to the unit they will be 
delayed. I'm sorry a few from you have not got to 
me, as I know they would be full of interest and  
  
IN YOUR LETTER DO NOT REFER TO: 
The name of your transport, or other transports in your convoy . . . dates of sailing . . . ports of call . . . destination 
descriptions of troops or other information which, if intercepted, will be of value to the enemy.