Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 10 - Part 8 of 18

6/ 
bad jokes about Richard was becoming 
embroiled in a show like this, it's 
as a dirty black cloud rearing up 
across a clear blue sky. Surely we can 
look forward to something better than 
that for our son. 
Your resume of health bulletin  
was read closely and you seem to be 
wearing well. Your sundry aches and  
pains are like mine, I think, the  
unmistakable signs of the [[sire?][ and 
yellow approaching. Still we still have 
a few bows in the quiver 
before they can plonk us on the shelf. 
That Sunday marathon of yours will 
either rejuvenate you or kill you, I  
incline to the former personally but 
'Mother knows best'. 
Thanks heartily for 
the parcel now on its way and I

have a hunch this one will really get  
to me. You can scrub the shorts  
for the present, probably for keeps  
I'll bring the matter up again if  
the need for the strides arises. 
You are doing me extra proud 
with your letters, pet so don't worry if  
your domestic and maternal duties force  
you to miss out occasionally.  As you 
say the war news is 'tops' lately  
and you need have no fear of further 
evacuations by our mob.  They're playing  
for keeps now, old bean.  Far be it 
from me to be an echo of wireless and  
press so I'll drop the war talk  
talk. 
Your letter of the 4th  
came right up to expectations and  
having goaded you into a spirited  
retort to my famous argument, a

8/ 
further contribution will be made in my  
next letter. I did enjoy that letter  
pet and the further I read the wider  
became the grin on my homely puss.  
You certainly have not lost your punch  
and an an debate on something or  
other will be included at least once a  
week month in my letters and your  
feeble minded husband hopes your  
replies will be up to standard of the  
first. Serves you right for marrying  
such a crackpot. 
On that senile note I  
now depart for some delicious  
snoozing so bring ho and I  
lay before all my love and  
sweet thoughts. Kiss the little  
chap for you  me, precious 
Yours ever 
Micky 
 

tmHill
PR00610 
Australian  
War Memorial

Air Mail 
11.9.43 
  
Mrs. M. Billings 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria 
  
AUSTRALIAN 
MILITARY FORCE 
PASSED BY CENSOR 
2543  
  
tmHill

Australia Comforts Fund
In conjunction with 
Y.M.C.A. 

VX38283 194 
Pte. M. Billings 
District Accounts Office 
New Guinea 
14.9.43 

Darling Kay,  
Here is the news 
and this is old man Billings  
writing it. First item; two  
more letters from you today  
Nos. 38 & 39, both of recent  
vintage and very gladly received.  
I have had a good week insofar  
as letter from you are concerned  
and the increased output reflects  
the improvement you attribute to  
Master Richard. It's really fine  
that he has settled down and  
is so contented in himself  
and because the benefit  
to you in increased sleeping  
hours and relief from anxiety  
is unmistakably revealed  
in your recent letters. When you  
receive regular letters from a  
person it is easy to get an

2/
appreciation of their state of mind  
and body. I simply gloat  
about your clear descriptions of  
Richards mannerisms and antics,  
it must be a treat to watch  
the young scamp and so good  
for you to find him such  
an entertainment. I can realise  
the joy you feel when such a  
treasure is your very own. 
I had a letter from  
your mother too and was very  
pleased the flu had released  
its grip upon her. Tell her  
I'll drop her a page or two  
shortly. Do you know what has  
happened? A parcel from you  
has reached me. Yes, the first  
one you sent me and the  
contents opened up in pretty  
good condition, only a few dents  
here and there. Thanks so  
much , your choice was very good  
and now the ice is broken, I am  
on the lookout for the others.

3/
you had better take back your  
scathing comments on the postal  
service. Believe me, pet, they do  
a swell job up here and if  
everyone did as well, everything  
would be ducky. 
To admit to that letter  
in which you adequately referred  
to my contentions concerning  
the name of the little chap,  
I got a great kick out of that letter  
first for the forthright way you  
answered my arguments and then  
for learning a few loopholes for  
this staunch advocate to crack  
back at you. By jove, we're not  
going to let the matter drop.  
Youre not going to achieve the  
woman's traditional 'last word'  
as easily as that, my hearty. 
Such interesting entertainment  
a as   is at a premium up  
here and you'll have to humour  
your 'troppo' husband a while  
yet. The next chapter will be

4/
in your hands soon for attention  
and no doubt crushing reply.  
Your soiree with Mesdames Ellis  
and Reid plus infants sounds  
a bright interlude, and quite  
productive of interest and incident.  
Strange, Susan Reid is plain  
and tubby but give her a chance. 
It's what's inside them that  
counts for more than externals  
and the child of Ghandi and  
Gwen will surely turn out  
pretty nifty. Any how be it as it  
may, I'm glad a good time was  
had by all in spite of the  
blows suffered by the cake dish  
and Ada's letter. I don't wish  
to be offensive but honesty  
compels me to tell you that you  
are a lousy singer even if your  
young charge goes for your hot  
numbers. Ah, tis convincing  
proof that his disposition is  
charming and amiable.  
Pleased the day for the big photo

5/
grows nigh, I'm certainly  
looking forward to its  
arrival here. I was pleased  
that my unsolicited advice  
did not offend you. You can  
dip into the past as deeply as  
you like but its better to stick  
to the happy time we have  
had together for I find your  
reminiscences very sweet music  
for my ears-or should it be eyes? 
Dont you go worrying  
about your bother and tell  
little Sylvia to take it easy  
too. I'll try and keep you  
posted of his activities so  
let knowledge and not  
imagination govern your thoughts. 
Regarding the housing problem  
I'll amplify my remarks of  
the previous letter shortly and  
thrash the matter out as  
thoroughly as I can. When you  
are next a over at Martin Rd

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF 
THE SAILORS and SOLDIERS' CHURCH 
OF ENGLAND HELP SOCIETY 
FOUNDED 1815 
                                   
6/
have a yarn to Uncle Tom, just in  
a general way of course to clarify  
your present impressions. Your  
opinions and mine appear identical  
and as regards our intentions and  
general plan but of course thats  
only one feature, to translate  
those into practicality is quite  
a proposition under present  
conditions. Will sleep on it  
awhile before exploring the maths  
completely. At present, we know  
what we want but just how   
do you achieve it. At this distance 
I'm afraid I'm not much help. 
Once more the  
witching hour of bedtime approaches  
so cheerio, puss, for a few more  
days. 
Again, all my love and  
lots of kisses to Richard and  
Kathleen. Micky