Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 12 - Part 12 of 16

THE SALVATION ARMY ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND YMCA

VX38483. Sgt. M. Billings
Dist. accounts Office
New Guinea. 8.2.44. 

Darling Kay,
I warn you right from
the jump that this is going
to be a frowsy effort. There's
been no mail from across the
pond for a week, I cleaned
up all outstanding subjects in
my G.E. screed of Sunday last
and lastly my nut is too
woolly to enable me to talk
to you entertainingly or even
intelligently. The only piece
of writing I've had is one
from John now back at the
same old place after many
ir irritating vicissitudes en
route. Was quite fit but far from

THE SALVATION ARMY ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND YMCA

3 2/
happy with things in general. With
our joint blessing I have put in
a claim for him to be transferred
here. I believe there's a fair
chance of it succeeding. I hope
it does for it would be beaut
for us to be together.
Another flash, your
brother Pat called in today
and had buckled down for a
second bite at the cherry.
Looked very well and owned
to having a cracker time while
home. He was very impressed
by the excellence of u Richard
and of course that gave my
homesick frame another twist.
Oh well. I dont suppose it
will be too long now.
That's all the sensation

THE SALVATION ARMY ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND YMCA  
RwRobert

3/
I can submit for your delectation
just now.
The mail positively is
right on the nose all right
but surely we can't miss out much
longer. I do hope you and the
little fellow are in the pink
but confirmation would be
much better than hope. I'm
feeling pretty well so that's
something and now time creeps
on.  My fingers are crossed.
Try as I may I simply
can't think of anything more
to converse about. Think I'll give
it up and hope for a clearer
skull next time.  Cheerio, sweet,
and don't gauge the strength of
my love by this meagre affair.
Lots of kisses to you both.       Micky

AIR. MAIL
8.2.44

FIELD POST 042.

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

AUSTRALIAN
MILITARY FORCE
PASSED BY CENSOR
943

THE SALVATION ARMY ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND YMCA

VX38483 Sgt. M. Billings
Dist Accounts Office
New Guinea
10.2.44

Darling Kay,
Well! Sweet one, my
prediction of the other night
that a letter from you would
come along before I wrote
again was correct for yours
of the 28 Jan turned up. It
was a stray too for everyone
has been anxiously awaiting
letters for quite a time now but
without avail. So I was a bit
lucky to click particularly as
yours was four pages and quite
a few topics to promote discussion.
Just as well for there's hardly
a thing I can rake up from

2/
my own devices. You may then
conclude that little of interest
is happening in my life. The
most exciting thing to happen to
me today was a swim which if
not thrilling was very enjoyable.
Feel pretty good and tolerably
brisk but as usual looking to
the day when I can put this
horrible island behind me.
Well, it shouldn't be so long
now and then two people I know
well will feel on good terms
with the world. I'll say!
I trust your bright report
on the respective healths of you
and Richard is at least maintained.
It don't know what the trouble on
your face is you refer to but
whatever form it takes it's no
good so may it be banished
quick smart. Fancy young Red
up to eighteen.  You've said it 

3/
we don't know we grow old until
the kids of yesterday suddenly
appear practically men & women.
Have pity on an old dotard.
Have digested well your meaty
words about our home project
and a with our exchanges of
ideas we certainly progress. You'll
pardon me when I say I think
you're a little optimistic about
the financial aspect.  Like all
good things I'm pretty certain 
the way of achievement will be
pretty rocky.  If we were to borrow
the sum mooted the repayment
in fifteen years will take a bit
of doing.  Not having had much
to do in the purchase of land
I too am rather in the dark on
that subject but if we desire to
live in suburbs such as Malvern
Camberwell etc. the cost of land
& house may well be prohibitive

4/
One thing that upsets my calculations
is the problem of the relation between
your income after the war and
the price of things including
land and building costs.  For
instance, you say 32/6 per week
now won't rent a decent place
whereas in prewar days you could
get quite a good place for that
much. With us, there remains
little margin for taking risks
in this as our funds just wont
allow of it.  In spite of promises
& plans, I can't help believing
that in the immediate post-war
period, the rush for houses
will keep building costs up
to inflated standards and I
wouldn't feel like adding to a
financial burden that will
call for the shrewdest handling
under favourable conditions.
Anyhow, darling, although

5/
our respective comments remain
allow us to know what is in the
other's mind, the actual decisions
can only be made having regard
to conditions obtaining just when
were are ready to move.  When
I get down we can have many a
yarn about it which will bear
further fruit I'm sure. Whatever
 way you look at it though, it
is not a matter to be treated
lightly for after you've got title to
a bit of land, the wherewithal
to erect a structure upon it is
pretty stiff. On top of that there
is the hundred and one articles 
to needed to equip it in a
manner befitting our station
and in between that the
multitude of rates, taxes and
sundry charges that are the bane
of the householder while all the
time is the question of food 

6/
clothing and education for the
family so to say nothing of
your fags and my beer. Quite
a formalidable array but thousands
have overcome the problem so
why can't we?
Regarding my possible
demise, that is a matter that
I'm looking into so shall be
well informed of what would be
your position in the event of
such an unpleasant occurrence. 
What a macabre mind you've
got,  you young rascal.  On
my next trip to Melbourne I
shall take a full inventory of
my assets, prepare a list and
give you a copy so you can have
at the good guts of just what
your old man possesses such
as it is, at least with my .
increased pay I can keep
adding all the time but I