Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 10 - Part 11 of 18

VX 38483 Pte.M. Billings
District Accounts Office
New Guinea
23. 9. 43.

My Darling,
I have only just received yours
of 20.9.43 telling me the dreadful news
of your brother John and the news has
so bowled me over that I just cant find
the words to say to you. I can hardly
believe that it just isnt true and you
am are’nt hoaxing me. Oh why are such
things allowed to happen bringing such
sorrow into the lives of the innocent.
Your poor mother who loved him so much
where will She Summon the Strength
to bear up under the blow, the best
love loved prop in her old age taken
from her. I know so well that she
suffered his absence cheerfully because
she kept her thoughts fixed on the

2/
time when he would come back to
brighten and comfort her. Now. that
has been cruelly torn from her. God grant
his strength and ease from the heartbreak
she suffers.
The face of little Sylvia
haunts me. What of her? To think
that she will never feel those strong
young arms around her again - oh whats
the use. Sympathy cant bring him
back.  You can't help being appalled
by the intensity of the struggle that
confronts her.  For upon her slight
shoulders will fall the brunt of this
dreadful happening. It may sound
callous but I'm glad of the child so
that she will have with her always
the image of her gallant lover. I cant
express myself here, I wish I were with
her now for I think I could make her

3/
see it from a different viewpoint perhaps.
Do you not grieve long for your 
brother - be proud that a man who has
endured so much and has yielded up
everything make that makes life worth
living is your own brother. For John
was a man and a damn good one too
and even now is reaping the reward of one
who didnt hesitate to Sacrifice everything.
And for what? For his girl wife and
but unborn child, for his mother, for
you and for me. His span of life was
short but crammed with noble achievement
in the interests of others who now are
duty bound to be worthy of them, heavy
though the cross is for those who are
left to bear it.
Dont get to imagine him
associated with the mud so beloved of the
knights of typewriters, thats very overdone.

4/
Its better and more probable
to picture him against the clear
blue waters of the Pacific.
I didn't intend to
ramble along to to this length, pet.
but clumsily, I’m trying to give forth
a crumb of comfort and . Never fear
that I shan't do what I can in prayer
for the repose of the soul of my comrade and for
strength to be given to Sylvia, your 
poor mother and you to overcome
the pain that afflicts  you in this hour.
Bye Bye now, glad
our little chap is so well. Everything
O'K here with me 
Yours always.
Micky

VX38483 Pte M. Billings
District Accounts Office
New Guinea 24. 9.43

Darling
I had not intended to write
today but because of a remarkable
occurrence that turned up this afternoon.
You know how I've been
looking forward to seeing your brother
Pat. Well as luck would have it
he was on a job not far from here
so he popped in here for a yarn.
As soon as I saw him recognise me
from the counter and call a greeting
I knew he hadn't heard the awful
news of John We usually get letters
the day before the fellows further out.
A moment at two of strained conversation
convinced me of his ignorance so it 
m was my very painful duty to break
The news to him. I showed him the

2/
letter from you as like myself he at
first thought it was a very poor joke
you know how it is. As  I unreadable word it gradually
sunk in the poor chap went as white as
a Sheet and reeled as though from a blow .
Soon pulled himself together and his first
cry was for his poor mother. A very
distressing business to hand such a news
to an old cobber who youve been waiting
to greet for months. We talked things over
and he intended to apply for compassionate 
leave on obvious grounds. of course . I
shall hitch hike out to his camp on
Sunday and swap news from home at
well as have a yarn.
Its all so bewildering and
painful darling for everyone, talking about
it to you doesnt help Will wait for your
next letter before writing again Cheerio ,
little mother, I wish I was there to help you .
All my love and God bless Richard & you.
Micky

Australian
Military Forces
Passed by Censor
43

[Crown Copy] 
[Up to three letters may be forwarded in
this Cover, but these must be all from the 
same writer. The Cover should be addressed
in such case to the Deputy Base Censor. The
Covers of enclosed letters must be left open
by sender.]

24.9.43

Address:-
Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria

Opened by Censor.

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

CHURCH OF ENGLAND FEDERATED WAR WORK COUNCIL AUSTRALIA

27.9.1943
VX38483 Pte M. Billings
District Accounts Office
New Guinea

Darling Kay ,
I'll imitate your example
and make this letter more conspicuous
for its brevity than anything else.
Received your note today and my
heart goes out to you poor kid in
this fresh load of sorrow that has
fallen on you and for a few days
will refrain from troubling you with
the mundane things. If my sympathy
for you and the others who have been
hit so hard is consolation to you
then know it know no bounds. I
will say no more but try to impart
to you what little news Ive gleaned
concerning the affair. First I believe
your horror concerning the grim muddy
background is unfounded, my surmise
of a clean setting is pretty near the
mark. Further, although nothing can
bring poor John back, it seems pretty
certain that it all happened in a
flash and he crossed the border
without suffering.

2/
So darling, his job is finished
and it was a job well done too. But
for your poor mother and Sylvia its
only just beginning and I pray that
God give them the strength to carry
on.
I saw Pat again yesterday
and he had had a letter from Ann.
However all going well you may see him
soon as he has moved on the lines
we discussed the other day. He was
more composed now and working hard
to try and forget but is very anxious
to be with your mother.
Well thats all now
Sweet, keep feeling so proud of
your little brother and although
his gone away from us, he's happy
and let him be proud of his kith
and kin.
With all my love to you
and a big kiss to little Richard
yours forever
Dad