Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 10 - Part 10 of 18

4

the courting couples sneaking out for a
hasty kiss, the menfolk sidling out
to the kitchen for a go at the
bottle. Them's were the days.
So pleased you are in such 
good form likewise the wee chap, if
it doesn't knock you up its a swell
idea. When all you feel like doing
after the hike is to sleep you can bet
its doing you a power of good. Having
been shorn and shampooed the
next thing is the pitcher itself which
I await with the deepest expectation.
Can it be true that your lovely
curls have deteriorated as much as you
Say. I'm distressed about it as it
was such a nice Sensation to run
my fingers through that thick crisp
halo. Surely you haven't forgotten
those massages of mine.

5/

Great news Old Syd being down on 
leave and a visit from Dorothy 
and Sinbad held up.  I bet that 
is a super day for you, its a long 
time alright since we saw them 
both. It was a spot of news for you 
concerning Bob Sutton.  That ankle of 
his has been playing up and he was 
sent over to hospital.  When I heard 
I dashed over to the hospital and 
soon ran him to earth.  The upshot 
of it all was he was being Sent 
back to Aus. for treatment and as 
far as I know has already left. 
I dropped him a note to pop 
in and see you which he promised 
to do if he got down to Melbourne. 
I suggest that if he does show up 
you arrange to go over to Mum's 
with him.  He has a sister in the 

6/

Suburbs I believe but if he has to 
hang around Melbourne long 
may find hanging on his hands. 
Anyhow as he's such an old pal 
of ours and a great bloke as well 
I know you'll show him every hospitality 
you can.  It would be Swell if he 
could synchronise his visit with 
that of Syd.  Bad luck for him 
but this joint is no place for a fellow getting 
up in years. 
Well so long now, 
precious for just a day or two. 
I love you ever so much and 
send a big kiss to Richard.  Very 
lonely for you and miss you 
tremendously.  Write me something 
intimate say of particular times we 
had together.  Cheerio. 
yours.  Micky.

tmHill

HELP SOCIETY - SAILORS & SOLDIERS CHURCH OF ENGLAND
19.9.43
Air Mail

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

AUSTRALIAN 
MILITARY FORCES
PASSED BY CENSOR
2543

tmHill

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

AMERICAN RED CROSS

VX38483 Pte M Billings
District Accounts Office
New Guinea  21.9.43.

Darling Kay,
Heigho, piddlekins (maybe that's a name 
you dont like) and thanks a million for this day has 
seen the arrival of two bonzer letters from thee, No.s 
43 & 44 and its sure good to know that you are being 
k liberally treated in that respect too.  It's great to 
know the family are all in such fine fettle, waxing 
fat I was going to say but that may offend your 
susceptibilities. I Verily, the young monarch gets better and 
better and no wonder he's the apple of your eye.  It's nice 
to be able to feel justly proud of your own child and I 
dearly love the cherub for being such a good lad and an 
entertaining one too for an absorbing interest must be 
a godsend to you at a time like this.  Cheek of you 
saying his fondness for the spinal position is inherited 
from me.  Let me tell you  I have long since chopped out 
daytime snoozing,  I'm actually a ball of energy.  anyhow, 
I reckon you're doing a swell job by him and if he follows 
out your sound ideas he'll keep on the right track.  I 
agree with you that the time for dad to exert his influence 
is much later in life and if he were about the age of 
ten or perhaps older I'd would be rather worried about 
being our boy away.  I know of a couple of cases of the
kids of chaps in the Army leading their mothers a devil
of a dance during Pa's absence.  Still, I'm not in

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies..." and "To act in the matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America 
and their Army and Navy...." The Charter of the American National Red Cross. By Act of Congress, January 5, 1905.

2/  AMERICAN RED CROSS

the least reconciled at missing out during Richards early 
days.  The poor little fella, its crook his teething pains 
are worrying him, it's awful to think of such a wee 
thing suffering at all.  I feel a bit of a chump twitting you 
about joking on Richard getting involved in a future 
shambles.  I'm not so blind to think every body is going to 
be ever so matey after this is through for evermore 
but nothing like this show has ever been seen before 
and the aftermath will be so horrific that it will be 
hard to sell our folks another one for several 
generations.  Good news, I actually have a Green 
Envelope in my possession so standby it will be 
on its way.  soon.  Couldnt tackle it tonight as 
I've had a busy day and its frightfully hot tonight
to cap it all.  My thoughts are far from well ordered
and I intend that letter to be different to the 
usual run.  Dunno what I shall talk about but 
it won't be about the weather.  Glad the Govt
stumped up something towards the cost of Richard's 
entry into the world but its a laugh when you 
compare four and a half smackers with the total 
cost.  Still having always been on the paying end
myself, its historical to get a small portion of it back.
By the way. the cake from you opened up great not 
a bit affected by its journeying and has now gone to 
the place where all good cakes go.  I got a case

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies..." and "To act in the matters of voluntary relief and in accord with 
the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America 
and their Army and Navy...." The Charter of the American National Red Cross. By Act of Congress, January 5, 1905.

3/

today from my old unit som with a heap of junk 
I left behind in my hurried departure and most 
of the stuff will come in handy, particularly a cigarette 
lighter.  I think I asked you to see if you could 
get me one, if so, just forget it now.  I too hope 
the pyjamas turn up soon, I guess I will be a 
sensation in them.  The pipe you sent me is 
still getting in everyone's hair with its fruity 
aroma unfortunately I lost the filter and it 
blocks up occasionally. 
As usual news from 
here is like the hen's teeth, had a fair 
bit of rain the last couple of days and it's 
awfully muggy.  Just a case of three feeds 
a day and a place to sleep.  Went to 
the Salvos picture show and guess what was 
screened?  "Johnny Eager", shades of Brisbane 
alright.  If you remember it was pretty punk 
but up here, it's a break to get an eyeful 
of a tasty dish like Lana Turner.  Her first 
entrance sure makes the lads in the bleachers 
whistle.  Well, precious, I'm nearly asleep 
so will hie myself off to my gimcrack 
bed, two boxes holding up a contraption 
of hessian and boards.   Cheerio sweet 
and all my love to you as ever and kiss 
Richard for me.  Tell him its from that 
queer bird in the photo what makes 'im 
larf'.
Micky

tmHill

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.

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial

21.9.43
Air Mail

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barker's Road.
East Hawthorn
Victoria

AUSTRALIAN 
MILITARY FORCES
PASSED BY CENSOR
2543

tmHill