Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 10 - Part 2 of 18

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF 
SAILORS & SOLDIERS ' CHURCH OF ENGLAND HELP SOCIETY 
Founded 1915 

3/
I realise how entertaining he must 
be now he's coming out of his 
shell. no wonder everyone falls 
for him. Must have inherited 
his parents undoubted charm 
I should think. 
Fancy having frosts 
so late in the year, it sounds 
entrancing to me sweating and 
stifling in the foul tropics. 
Had a very disturbed night last 
night, first a flea laid into 
me and Scored Several direct hits. 
Having subdued it, I had to 
resist mosquitoes that got into 
the net while my previous 
foe + I fought it out. They 
werent the silent malarial 
sort but the big Stukas that 
bite like fury. What a life! 
So a nice frost appeals to me 
like a cold pot of Vic Bitters.

4/
I'm certainly taking care looking 
after the snaps you sent me, 
they will only wear out through 
looking at them, one of my pet 
hobbies in fact. Hard to keep 
anything in a good state of 
preservation up here particularly 
if moving about. The studio 
snap of Richard & you will 
be the feature of the month 
when it comes. hope its small 
as the big ones get frayed 
though contact with other articles. 
The only chance I can see of 
obtaining a snap of yours truly 
is for you to wangle a film 
and include it in a parcel. I 
think I can borrow a camera 
and if so, will check up on the 
size film to fit it and let 
you know. Your summary of the 
electioneering was most diverting.

5/ 
a pity some of them could not see 
how Mrs. John [[Citigen]] regards their 
antics. Its all over now and it 
will be interesting to see what 
is going to happen next in the 
political sphere. In a recent 
letter you spoke about leave 
prospects in this unit. While I 
know nothing definite, I'm sure 
I won't wait any longer in this 
show than I would have otherwise 
in fact, indications point to a 
shorter stay here. One point in 
its favour I can see is that 
being a small outfit, one 
usually fares better there than 
in those large units. It's 
cold comfort when we are dying 
to see each other but that's the 
position as I see it. You dont 
have to like it though, old 
beans. I don't either.

6/
I'm still standing up to the strain 
tolerably well and am kept pretty 
busy. The work as yet hardly 
over-exerts my mental capacity 
as I'm still in a subordinate position 
but I'm satisfied so far to know 
I retain some grip of matters 
of the financial world. I've 
had a couple of letters from the 
old joint lately. things are very 
quiet they say and all find it 
pretty monotonous but that's 
the fate of many up here. as 
well as its pretty wet so I 
can't say I'm sorry to be away 
from there, our rainfall is 
considerably lowered. When I 
answered the letters I'll convey your 
sentiments to 'old Bob'. He 
was going great guns when I 
left, the hard work and 
activity suits him. I blend 

7/
quite well with the chaps here and 
we are a happy family. I have 
a hunch a lot of the old mob 
will get on one another's quince 
over there, too many factors to 
breed tension without a visible 
safety valve to let off excess steam. 
I feel more contented here as my 
ambitions were dying from a little 
for want of a little boost but I'm 
flat out here and I aim to be 
in the race a bit more. 
I was pleased to see my 
fears over your health were a 
trifle exaggerated and as you say 
the turmoil of June aggravated 
things. Please tell me from 
time to time how you are. 
I do so want the lad and you 
to be glowing specimens when 
I come along on my vacation. 
Horribly selfish but both of

8/
you must be 100%. Thanks for 
your efforts to pack up the few 
chattels I require. If you cant 
register a parcel ordinary mail 
perhaps you can freight the 
light articles airmail. See what 
you can do anyhow, pet. Re 
cash I'm still holding my own 
so you're safe for a while. Maybe 
I might have to bite you for a 
quid occasionally for toilet articles 
and such like which I probably 
can obtain easier than you 
but so far its O.K. Will you 
send me a blank cheque form on 
the C'wealth Bank and then 
see what happens. 
That's all my hearty 
so cheerio and permit me again 
to send you youngsters a huge 
parcel of love and kisses 
Dad

26.8.43 
Mrs M. Billings 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria 

VX38483 Pte. M 
Billings. District 
Accounts Office. 
New Guinea. 29.8.43 

My darling 
My fondest hopes were 
realised today in the shape of a brace 
of letters from Mummy, the dates 
being 24th & 26th. I might add 
the censor has had a look at them 
probably suspects you of some ugly 
doings. Today being Sunday meant 
a day off so two of your inimitable 
letters helped immeasurably to make 
what is a dull day far easier to suffer. 
By the dates, the mail service is back 
to good performance, so that is very 
satisfactory to soldier boys sweating on 
the latest dope from home. Today's 
programme was easily filled, little 
to do and hours in which to do it.

2/ 
I wont weary you with the pre- breakfast 
commonplaces. after a sumptious repast 
I went to Mass but the church was very 
crowded so could only half get in. after 
that returned to billets and read a 
lurid thriller until luncheon which was 
taken as eagerly as ever. humble though 
it was. That digested, I tore into a 
heap of grimy clothes and soon had 
them fluttering gaily on the clothes line. 
It's mighty hot work laundering up here 
my lass and I was glad when I wrung 
out the last garment. Spent the rest of 
the afternoon messing about with gear and 
teatime came around and, once more I 
performed soundly. I'm afraid my frame 
is taking on flesh too rapidly, they 
had better get me out of here before I 
get too bad. That The day now moves to 
its close with the pleasant task of writing 
home a fitting one for the holy day.

3/ 
To veer in your direction I again wish you 
the best of health and after scanning the 
snaps enclosed with our letter I believe you 
are pretty well. The snaps of course had 
a most enthusiastic reception and my 
comment upon them is as as follows. 
Those of the nip were not as good as the 
earlier ones but it was champion to see 
your fair face and form again. You 
have altered a fair bit from the image 
I carried away with me when I left 
for the wars on visit number two but not 
for the worse. Of course, you're still the 
same adorable six and fourpence but 
there is more response in your expression and 
motherhood has stamped you with a 
impression of wisdom and maturity. 
I was most interested to view snaps of 
you, it's so long since last I saw you 
and a fellow really needs a reminder 
of she who is dear to him.