Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 12 - Part 14 of 16

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VX 38483 Sgt. M. Billings,
District Accounts Office,
New Guinea.  17.2.44

Darling Kay,
Tis surely a task you set me in getting away an early reply
to all those letters that have just arrived but it's such a welcome
change after the recent scarcity that I'm hopping into it with both feet
particularly a shift of night duty puts me in the right place to write
for a few hours without interruption.  I'm finding that the typewriter
makes the job easier because ones thoughts can just keep up nicely with
my low speed.  When writing, it's punctuated by much pen chewing while
I think up the next sentence.  I hope this finds Richard completely
recovered from his setback. It was a pity you had to take him to the
quack  but after losing so much weight and being so obviously out of
sorts, there was nothing else for it if you were to have any peace of
mind.  I was greatly relieved to read that there's nothing serious amiss
with the poor little chap   but when you come to think of it , a baby can
hardly be expected to resist persistent heat and pain and not feel crook.
I bet you will both be glad when the hot weather departs for by all
accounts, it has come thick and heavy this summer. The bush fires have
not been so bad for many years and they still seem to be a menace.  Well,
the new baby fashion is one of the soundest that has been turned on for
many a day and xxxxx so if the infant population keeps on the upgrade
due to war causes it will be something good to come out of it.Maybe I'm
a dreamy idealist, but perhaps the folks are becoming more conscious of
the excellence of their race in comparison to others and are doing
something about it.One thing the acquisition of a child to many families
will make them unselfish in their responsibility and as selfishness in
some shape or form is responsible for most of the world's misery,any
decline in that vice is a step in the right direction. Getting nearer
home, I hope, now that the mail service has come good again, to have a
good bulletin of the health of Master Richard tomorrow.
You said it, you are exceptional if you go out of New Guinea
in better shape than when you arrived.From what I hear it was justx a
place in the good old days and , in spite of the amenities obtainable
then, a few years left their mark. I've had a fair trot as regards the
danger and hardship angle  but for the boys up top who have had every
thing imaginable chucked at them, it's just a hellhole. The climate in
this place is regarded with distaste by old hands and well they might
by my experience.Apart from those who it bowls over to the extent that
they have to leave it, the life seems to have an ageing effect on most
and when recent arrivals meet an old mate they frequently refer to the
marked change for the worse in his appearance. Don't get windy by this
in that this is a warning that I shall turn up looking like nothing on
earth for my existence in comparative comfort and freedom from exhausting
toil has had a recuperative effect after my bother early in the piece
and if I maintain present fair form I'm confident that you won't have
too many disparaging comments to make on my appearance.After a short
spell of honest to goodness loving, civilised living and a luxury or two
the process of rejuvenation will come quickly . Like you ,  I trust my
next leave will not result in either of us being bed-ridden, but if it
happens remember its' my turn to get on the spinexxxxxxxx. I have always
found you too exhilarating and entertaining up on your two shapely
legs to go for you as a invalid so that's one reason why I hope it won’t
be long before the laddie is tip-top again and you can wean him for

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for the nervous strain from worrying about him and the physical drain
from feeding him aggravated by hot weather hardly tend to assist you to
husband your energy or sweeten your disposition and I do so want to
meet you again bursting with good health and abundant vitality.The time
for that miracle moves along, far too slowly, of course, but as you seek a
tip from me I shall do my utmost to give you one.As far as knowledge is
concerned I know nought but as ten months have nearly passed up here,
a relief must soon eventuate just by application of the law of something
or other.  In such a mystical body as the Army, you never know whats
cookin’ so you may appreciate the difficulty of being an accurate prophet
particularly where leave is concerned .So xxx just to make the game
interesting I shall hazard April 3o as the big day.  A fellow really ought
not to make even tentative appointments when circumstances may keep from
meeting them but you asked and that's the best winner I can contrive.
Having served in the M.E. with damn little leave either during or after
it and having been on Active Service for 14 months without being home
its certainly about time a let-up came my way but one just has to wait for
the powers to dish it out in their own sweet time.  I agree with you, the
last year seems like a decade.
Regarding our home project, I wont launch
into more detail until I have something from you but It's evident that we 
both appreciate the obstacles to surmount but having the determination to 
put it over, I can see no reason why ' , be it so humble there will be no 
place like our home.'  The financial aspect is the main thing to concern me
and I anticipate getting together a nice set of figures on which to plan.
By jove, you sound as though you are going to 
devour me but by gauging my own desires, I can well understand your longing 
for some male society. This unnatural business is on the nose all right 
and I have a mighty yen to return once more to the triple joy of lover,
husband and father, Until i sample the goods I am unable to place them
in their order of priority but as I see it  a beaut sweetheart and a fine
wife with a brand spanking new son to revel in for good measure is certainly
a dish fit for a conxoisseur of home delights. It's so enchanting I hardly
dare think about for restlessness is easily enough achieved as it is.
Well , Brother Tom must have got hold of a good lurk somehow
turning up, again near the home town. What's that guy got that I have'nt.
He's not happy, you say, what does he want , cream for fourpence.  What crap
even if he is a sort of an infantryman but footslogging a stonesthrow from
home is not hard to take.He had better not give me that tripe or he'11
get a fat flea in his ear. From my experience with the mob, I would say
that three years service never out of Australia with its freedom frrm
bombs, bullets and other bad business   constitutes the zenith  of good
luck. Perhaps his job in his old unit was a good bludge anx the sudden
change  to hard training smells.Surely, it's not the itch for battle that
has cast a gloom over him.If so, there seems to be plenty of time yet
before the game is won and maybe his tail will be dragging along the
ground yet.  I often wished I had stayed in the infantry, it's a man sized
job I know but the chaps are a great bunch and the service the elite
of the Army.  A necessary qualification in my estimation is to be young
and single though.  From the tone of your remarks, I can see you take a dim
view of his sorry plight , I can almost hear the sniff of disapproval from
here but between ourselves, I think you have got something.
The news about your mother was good to see and I'm so glad
she is kicking on once more.No doubt about the old stagers, they had it

3

bred into them to expect a hell of a lot of rough and precious little
smooth. You'll all be wistful when you think of what might have been
but,at least John gave his life for a cause big and for his own
people which is a sight more than most of us do and I like to believe
that where those fellows have gone is a place fit for the best and
where the happiness they selflessly tosses away for others will be repaid
to them with interest. Please give Mother my love and a pat on the back.
The smokes situation seems to be worse than
ever down there. Can't your boy friend up at the corner look after his
customers better than that. The smoking habit might be soothing or
something when supplies are plentiful but nowadays one must rue the day
when you fell a captive to the lure of My Lady Nicotine. It's none too
wonderful here these days but yox can get enough and it's cheap too.
Do you mean to tell me you have been sucking at that foul old pipe,
you'll poison the baby dragging away at that antique, you stinker. The
things you get up to when my back is turned.
Thanks for your congratulations upon my elevation to
the ranks of the snakes but please don't picture me as a leader of men
suddenly discovered.  'Tis not power and pomp I seek but the bawbees
and it means another bob a day when it’s xx through. Funny how unobservant
people are about little details though,for you must haxe passed over it
a few times before twigging,Mum's last letter was to Corp while Dorcas
still writes me as a lowly Pte.  Sheila was on to it but you know the
Jolly Navy,rank and all that you know. Pardon my modesty in not drawing
attention to the signal honor but you could hardly picture Sgt.Sourpuss
bleating, ''Mummy, they've made me a sarge’'. Now could you.
Herewith two more snaps of a group of us
base-wallopers with Poor Micky , really poor now, well to the fore with
his photogenic profile and his spindleshanks. That vessel you see in my
hand is just to keep my fingers nimble when I transfer my affections to a
glass vessel with a handle you may have heard of. The house at the rear
is the spot wherein we foregather to eat and sleep, sorry no Fuzzies or
cocoanuts today.  Hope you like 'em, I think I, look a bit more presentable
than in the last picture, but your culinary efforts will still be required.
I'm looking forward to getting your latest batch so I can see too just
how well you have been looking after yourself. I hope to get a few more
soon that I took when I was out in the bush. They are the best of the lot,
Now, thatps a  bad show getting that white suit of
yours  mucked  up for  it was the apple of my eye and your black robe had
better be classy to rival it quite apart from my sentimental liking for
the white. You have not by any chance, purchased the black gown so as to
give the appearance of the smart and dignified matron.  You're still young
you know and you'll have to be to cope with your unruly spouse.
Well how time does fly but I have come to xxxxxxxxxx
the end of another of your letters and it is time to douse the lights
and grab a snooze.  So for an interval I shall give it away and   do so
sending you my usual   cargo of love and kisses.  Please give one to
the sweet little laddie and also love and good wishes to the Suggies.
Puss.
Micky

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17 2 44

Address

Mrs. M. Billings
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn Vict 

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USE MILITARY ADDRESS ONLY
From No. VX132013 Name Cpn  Clarke PJ  Unit 11th Aust Adv. W/shops
A.E.M.E.A.I.F.  Date Feb. 18th 1944

C  Australia

THE SALVATION ARMY

RED SHEILD WAR SERVICES
In association with the
Aust. Comforts Fund. 

Dear Kath.
Just a few lines hoping that thy find both
you and baby and all at Balwyn well as this letter
leaves me at present in the pink of health.  The
weather up here has been very hot off and on during
the day but plenty of rain in the evenings and
when I say plenty I mean it as she comes down to
some order, but one good fault is that it leaves
the air a little cooler for a while, also see that you
are havIng your share of heat down there. Had a letter
from Fay a couple of days ago, and see by same
that she has had another spin in Hospital, my
word she & George have had more than the share
in the past twelve months, and its to be hoped
that they get a break for the best soon. Also got
a letter from Mum yesterday, that make two within
three weeks rather a record I should say, so was
thinking not you must have said something to
her. She said that baby had not being too good, but
of course you must expect a little change at the time
when the weather is not so good, anyhow Kath I
think he could afford a little bit of weight off as

2

THE SALVATION ARMY
RED SHIELD WAR SERVICE
in association with the
Aust. Comforts Fund.

personally I would sooner you carry him any distance
than me. Managed to get in a see Mick for a 
few minutes the other day and at the time of interview 
was well and in the pink.  Only had a few minutes 
with him,  he said he would get out my way as soon 
as possible. Thanks very much for the paper you sent
me they will keep me going in reading matter
for a little while. How are all the folks out that
way.  I see in the local paper that Alfreds Boss
died a week or so ago,  its to be hoped that it does
not make any difference regards his position as
he seemed to be getting on very well.  tell him that
I said to look out for those girls at the dances
Also tell Uncle Bill that one or two of those bottles
we had would go alright up here at present, as its
a little more than a corned Beef thirst.  Well Kath
as I think I have told you all the news for this mail
I will close now,  remembering me to all at home and
a special kiss for for Bub. 
I remain
Your fond Brother
Pat
XXXXXX

On Active Service
18.2 44
THE SALVATION ARMY
ACF AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND
YMCA
AIR MAIL

Mrs. M. T. Billings
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria E3 Australia

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES
PASSED BY CENSOR 2737

MELBOURNE
26 FEB
1944
VICTORIA

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