Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 9 - Part 9 of 12

The Salvation Army Australian Comforts Fund Y.M.C.A.

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give me plenty of material to talk to you about as Richard 
and you are both very interesting at present and dearer to  
me than ever.  I look forward to your letters so much  
Don't take that as meaning I'm setting up opposition to  
you devoting yourself first to the welfare of Richard and  
yourself.  I know you'll manage to write pretty often but  
what is galling is that you are writing and the letters  
take a devil of a time finding their mark 
Well let's change to something a bit  
cheerier.  I see the young imp has been showing a few  
signs of temper.  You are pretty good in not letting him  
get away with it as I bet most young mothers would.  
I admire your ideas and principles about the way to  
bring up kids and you'll do a great job.  One thing I  
was glad to see was you and him going out for a  
stroll.  hope you kept away from the pubs.  Nothing  
like a regular turn on shanks ponies to get the old  
muscles back in working order and bring life flowing  
out through the body.  The weather down there just  
now would hardly be the best but spring approaches  
and I hope you both can get out of doors a good bit.   
Glad you still like my letters a lot, I like writing  
them, it makes me feel very close to you.  Since I first  
went into the Army, we've certainly used up some ink  
and paper but I won't have any regrets about  
not having to write another word as when that happens  
we shall be together for good and all.  One thing  
you did ease my mind over was our financial situation  
which is much better than I thought and you can  
guess how I reacted when you told me you would be  
able to balance the budget.  As a matter of fact, at 

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 
description of troops, or other information which if intercepted, will be of value to the enemy

3/ 
best I would only be able to allot you another bob a  
day which would not help much.  If this new stunt  
of mine pans out alright, then it will be different.   
So pray hard for my success as it will make things  
better for us all.  I hope too (many hopes in this  
letter) you were able to fix up his registration  
and his allowance from Finance without any hitch.   
Very decent of Reg an Katie and Gran to augment the  
infant's coffers.  I wrote them some time back so  
may have a reply myself soon.  Fine folks, those!  
Some of your brother John's mob I've seen around  
here.  What particular bunch I know not but will  
see what I can find out.  I would certainly like to  
bump into him.  Also let me have Pat's address  
too as I might be able to locate him.  Somewhat  
vaguely I seem to remember him being stationed in  
this area.  I'm awaiting to hear what you thought  
of my 'illness'.  please don't let upset you as I  
haven't felt the slightest bit off since and we get  
regular suppressive dope.  All that muck was the worst  
part about it really.  Went to the flicks last night  
a fair show "Seven Sweethearts" and Desert Victory. 
the latter was great and brought back memories of  
the sandy washes of long ago.  I was on a job but  
luckily got off in time to see the show. 
It would appear that I have come  
to the end of my letter for today so will toddle  
now and po powder my nose for the evening  
banquet draws nigh.  A whacking big kiss for  
each of you and I reciprocate with great sincerity  
your shining love which I couldn't do without.  Micky 

ACF Logo 
In conjunction with 
Y.M.C.A.
 
29.7.43 
Air Mail 
Mrs. M. Billings. 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria 
  
Australian Military Forces 
Passed by Censor 
3652

ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND Y.M.C.A.  
In Conjunction with 
Y.M.C.A. 
Use Military Address only 

No. VX38483 Pte. Mo. 
Billings, District 
On Finance Office 194 
New Guinea 
2.8.43 

Darling, 
For a change I have some news 
from you, a veritable swag of letters 
poured in upon me yesterday and  
great was my rejoicing.  The tally from  
you was nine, the latest date was the  
25th July.  The progress report on you 
and the young fellow made ideal  
reading, what a fine lad he is growing  
into; I'm fairly swelling with pride 
mixed with a tinge of sympathy for you 
flat out coping with his insistent demands. 
Never mind, pet, you're doing a fine job 
and it won't be long before he learns 
to treat you more leniently.  It's good to 
know he's settling down to sleeping 
at the proper hours and not having 
you up half the night.  I wish I were 
there to save you a few of those 
trials.  It was with a pang of sorrow 
that I cast my thoughts in your 

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

2/
  
direction last Sunday.  the day he was 
to be christened.  I'm waiting for your 
account of the proceedings but it won't 
be much compensation for not being 
there.  You sound rather smug about 
your speedy return to the girlish silhouette,  
you vain puss.  However, I will  
concede you that satisfaction and lots 
more too, as you are deserving of all 
the breaks now. 
The contents of your letters 
covered many many pages and it  
will take me a few letters to cover all 
the points they contain.  The paper 
and envelope famine has greatly 
eased the last week and I think 
you had better hang on to all the 
stationery you are able to purchase 
for your own use.  Very pleased my screeds 
are flowing to you frequently and not 
taking very long about it either.  In fact, 
I think you will get even better service 
from now on. 

3/
  
I beg of you to observe closely 
the address prefixing this letter.  You will 
then deduce that my transfer has gone  
through and the old man is safely  
ensconsed in the Pay Corps.   So I’ve 
punched my last shell up the spout 
of the big gun and shall now hop 
in and see if I can get this game by 
the throat.  Its like a merry-go-round 
really, three years away from the facts 
and figures and now back to the 
game that once provided the daily crust. 
I hope I’m not too rusty on it but 
suppose I’ll soon get into the swing of 
it.  Funny thing, the first person I 
came across at Finance was a very old 
friend, Lieut. Alf  Woods.  He and I 
used to work a few doors apart in 
majestic Collins St., and also out 
Malvern way.  To continue with the tale, 
I was released from the place of penance 
where I had languished three weeks 
and reported in mighty promptly to 

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the new people.  The quarters and living 
conditions are excellent and dry (a big 
thing up here) and I shall like my 
new life very well if first impressions 
are reliable.  A new kind of work in 
an atmosphere conducive to good results 
and I’m sure that any doubts I 
entertained of the wisdom of making 
a change will be set at rest.  Of course, 
I shall miss a lot of the good friends 
I made with the old crowd but there’s 
no reason why I shan’t make equally 
good ones here when I get to know  
them.  The first few days among a 
new group are always punk but we 
the few chaps I’ve spoken to are nice 
chaps, so all things considered, I feel 
pretty happy tonight now I belong 
to someone again.  In addition, I 
feel very fit.  the few days of hard 
work I put in out in the sun 
livened me up properly.  My most fervent 
hope is that I shall see no more of 

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hospital as the rigmarole l’ve just gone 
through threatens one’s sanity at times. 
This area is a pretty healthy spot 
by comparison with others I could  
name so, my Sweetheart, I’m  
confident of holding a clean bill of 
health. 
Well, this is the end 
of the record, Mummy so will 
toddle now filled with joy at the 
progress my family are making and 
with love for you both.  Very sorry 
Ada is off color,  give her a kiss from 
me.
Yours ever. 
Micky  
[[GCR Druery]] 

Y.M.C.A.  

2.8.43 
Air Mail 
Mrs. M. Billings, 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria 
  
Australian Military Forces 
Passed by Censor 
943

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF 
THE SAILORS and SOLDIERS' CHURCH 
OF ENGLAND HELP SOCIETY 
FOUNDED 1915 
VX38483 Pte 
M. Billings, District Accounts 
Office, New Guinea 
10.8.43. 

Darling,  
For a start, I'm very glad  
to tell you that since my last letter 
I had four letters from you, No's 11,12 
13 & 17, very good too, the lot of 
them with several more in prospect. 
It is all so wonderful now with  
baby and you flourishing so mightily 
You two are really marvellous and I  
am so proud of my wife and son. 
I must plead guilty to neglect with my 
correspondence to you as it slipped  
a few days.  Been terribly busy the 
last few days working the clock 
round almost and I just couldn't get  
a moment.  However it won't last 
much longer and then I shall get  
back to the old routine.  I have to  
start work at midnight tonight so 

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