Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 12 - Part 11 of 16

The Salvation Army ACF Australian Comforts Fund YMCA 

5/ 
Well it's nice to know you don't think 
I'm a Scrooge but just shall we 
say cautious. When all is said and 
done I don't suppose it would work 
out too well to be too liberal when 
you haven't got it. As for buying  
friendship I'm not so fond of my  
fellow men by and large, as it 
is. 
Getting back to the infant, it 
was great for him to put on a whole 
1/2 lb last week, regained his form 
with a vengeance.  Very handy to 
run across Doc. on the way home &  
get a consultation gratis (That appeals  
to me hugely) as well as a first  
class report. He must look a trick 
in his cardigan. 
Glad the get together at 
Dorothy's was so successful even

The Salvation Army ACF Australian Comforts Fund YMCA
  
6/ 
into a bottle of beer etc, you drunks. 
Fancy that old stinkpot Sutton 
having the lip to deny the undoubted 
resemblance he bears to me and 
then to say that old conflict 
stuff about him being a miniature  
of you. So thats the sort of thing  
that goes on behind my back, you 
tell him to get back to his stupid  
sheep. Garn. Knuckle Hobbs is  
back in town, why don't you go  
the whole hog and invite him  
to tea. 
Well, sweet, as I'm orderly  
stooge this week I must away 
to inspect a few places. Cheerio 
for a while and pray accept  
my parcel of love and kisses. 
Micky 

tmHill

AIR MAIL 
2.2.44 
Mrs. M. Billings 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Victoria 
  
AUSTRALIAN 
MILITARY FORCES 
PASSED BY CENSOR 
2543 

tmHill

To VX38483 
Cpl. M. Billings 
District Accounts Office 
New Guinea Force 
  
[*N B.  
No room for this  
junk on my files -  
sorry*] 
  
From Mrs. M. Billings 
548 Barkers Road 
East Hawthorn 
Melbourne 
Tuesday 24.1.'44 

Dearest, 
I cannot help being other than disappointed 
that once again there was no letter for me today. The last I had 
from you was two pages on Saturday. Surely Micky dear you can 
write me a little more often than you have been doing for the  
last several months. There was a time when we were first parted  
after our marriage when a letter a day almost was the usual order 
of things but recently that has slipped down to one a week 
or two at most. I don't suppose anyone ever does continue to  
do the things they do in the first thrill and newness of early  
married life and to expect a letter a day would be asking  
too much. What a pity though that one starts off on those 
lines. You mention in this last letter that you had a gap 
of five days between mine, goodness I often have six and seven 
days between yours. I have now decided that I shall write  
to you just as often as I receive a letter from you./ I realize 
now that it is rather absurd for me to sit up at 12 and 1  
in the morning writing when I should be in bed getting 
some rest in order to cope with Richards many demands during 
the day. I have always had the idea that my letters were 
very important to you, but maybe I have overrated both 
myself and my letters. It would be a lie for me to say 
your letters are not important to me for they are the tonic 
which keep me going from day to day. Life is very 
restricted for me now with the infant to be looked after and  
forever with me. My sole amusement being a visit to

friends, and even that isnt wildly exciting when the journey 
there is made under the difficulty of carrying 18 1/2 lbs of infant 
on one arm and almost as much equipment on the other. The other 
great excitement is to push the pram down the same old street  
for the same old messages from the same old shops. Hell no  
wonder I've built your letters up to such an important event. 
Dope that I am. 
Sorry that I haven't any news to relate, but after 
all there isn't really anything worth writing about ever happens 
Richard has been off colour again last night and this 
morning but I suppose he will get over it. Hes dribbling 
all over the place and has quite a sore chin as a result 
and looks most unattractive. I'm alright myself, and  
would always be O.K. if I didn't live in a permanent  
state of tiredness. I suppose its just old age really 
and that's all there is to it. I'm sorry if this letter  
annoys you when you read it but I might as well say  
all this to you, as only think it for that what was what  
we decided long ago. To tell each other everything and  
even if you think I am not justified in being annoyed it  
does not alter the fact that I am both annoyed and hurt. 
And now I must go and give Richard his dinner so will 
end off now. Maybe I've said too much anyway. 
Yours always 
Kay

VX 38483 SGT. M. BILLINGS 
DISTRICT ACCOUNTS OFFICE  NEW GUINEA 
5. 2. 44 

Darling, 
Here's a turn up for you, the old man doing the famous one 
finger act . It's a long time since I fumbled with the keys but the  
fact is I am on duty at the office today,Sunday too, and have left  
my fountain pen at the billets so as things are quiet at the moment 
are slack, I do not feel like neglecting the opportunity to get a few 
lines away to you . I believe it's a breach of etiquette to send  
personal letters by such means, but as we are ever avid of letters I xx  
don't think a trifle like that will worry you and anyhow you'll find  
it easier to read, my writing not being exactly copperplate. 
Since my last screed, nothing of great moment  
has disturbed my placid and monotonous existence. Being the wet season 
rain and stormy conditions have been fairly prevalent but as it only 
cools off for a brief period, it does'nt make much difference. The 
pictures on Friday were extra special,a good new reel,a cartoon and 
then ''Holy Matrimony'' with Gracie Fields and Monty Woolley. It was 
extremely funny in the best English fashion and after a lousy week, I 
enjoyed it immensely. Otherwise there's no noos. 
I hope Mum and Richard are both batting 
nicely ,maybe the wee nipper is proudly displaying a fine molar,that 
will be a smile and a half for you. The Mail spring has temporarily 
dried up again for its up to the fourth day again and Sunday is 
usually a winner for a letter  but there was nary a one in the bag  
today. My effort elaborating a bit on houses and furniture has gone 
your way a while now so I expect quite a few words from you on that 
subject..Also,if my memory serves me well a few more photographic 
reminders of my sweet ones are about due so when this contentious mail 
shows up it promises to be good reading. At the rate the lad's 
vocabulary is developing I expect to get a letter from the child 
prodigy himself soon. A bit exaggerated perhaps,Heaven forbid that I 
will still be in this dump by then. For as everyday passes the place 
gets more and more monotonous and as I start my tenth month thoughts  
and longing to be home become item number one. 
There was one thing in a recent letter from you  
that I would like to talk about here. In speaking of the joy that 
will be ours when we are re-united ,you express your trepidation at 
the possible consequences to the rapturous hours that will accompany 
the end of the separation. Some time ago we exchanged opinions about  
that matter and like you, I pray that the arrival of a brother xx or 
sister for Richard will be deferred until such time as we are in a 
position to provide them with a proper home. In addition, I am a firm 
believer in the dictum that wives should have a recuperative period 
of at least two years and now, more than ever, having learned first hand 
from you , I incline to that belief. However, darling, we must be     c 
realistic about the matter and not just hope that a gracious providence 
will take care of the matter for us . I suppose that having once 
proved ourselves fertile we consider that the feat can be repeated 
given the right atmosphere and synchronisation of desire. Probably so, 
but I suppose there is always the possibility that abstention with its

accompanying nervous ordeal may have hastened the end of our cycle. For 
my part, I would be pleased if the period between our first sexual  
association and your conception turned out about the same as it did  .  n 
in the case of Richard. Perhaps there is something in our individualities  
   that tends to hold back   the consummation of xxx the passions of onexx 
   or both of us. I do'nt know of any hard and fast rule concerning this 
   aspect, whether the saying that history repeats itself if applicable 
   in matters concerning the responses of lovers. You will be in no doubts 
in my case and I think I interptet your feelings correctly when I say that  
the glorious prospect of once more experiencing the greatest sensation 
known to true lovers is not the least reason why you want me with you.We 
therefore are under no illisions concerning the need of the one for the  
otherand and would be most foolish to do anything to deny ourselves free 
and adequate expression of that natural urge to merge ourselves. Both 
before and after marriage,we have been unfortunate enough to be apart for  
long periods and now more than before    that numbing sense of frustration 
the product of healthy and virile bodies deprived of a properly balanced 
life can only be swept away by removing the basic cause of it. In fact, 
sweet,once we are together at night there can be but one ending to that 
call for the other and it would be the height of fatuousness for either of 
us to imagine that we could repulse the advances   of the other .We were'nt 
born that way and loving as we do it is inherent in us and natural for us  
to give the fullest expression of that love .To meet and gratify the wants 
and needs of the one who means everything to you is both a command and a 
joy and are we the sort of people to be false to ourselves or to the other. 
I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that much as I want you as  
the person charged to keep me happy and contented in the material sense, 
I need you none the less as she who always has been and still is my lover. 
Distasteful as both the word and the idea are, it looks as 
though we will have to take precautions such as are available to minimise  
the chances of our embraces culminating    in a further addition to our  
family yet awhile. I would certainly prefer to ascertain these things x 
myself but I'm afraid that its impossible here to do so. I recall you 
telling me in a recent letter that that lump on your leg was annoying you 
and a visit to the Doctor was intended.It would therefore be timely if you 
were to have that seen to ,at the same time explaining our predicament to 
him and getting some reliable information to assist us. Anyhow,read and 
inwardly digest the above and let me know what you think. You would think  
though after all our ups and downs that things would go well for us 
without all these possible complications. 
Not much more to say just now about 
the house business but I keep myself as well posted as possible regarding 
trends on expansion down on the mainland.It seems that unless something 
unexpected happens the Govt.will do nothing until the war is over but if 
the position gets more chaotic it would'nt surprise me if they are forced 
to get a move on somewhat earlier. 
You will be disappointed to know that my moustache 
is no more.It started as one of those dodges the feeble minded use to 
break the monotony and after a while I just lose interest.However,as it 
seemed to take your fancy I will endeavour to present myself to you with 
one fine specimen. Being a swarthy,bewhiskered individual,the growing is 
too easy. I read with great interest your plan for a new style hair-do. 
You tipped me right too,the idea stinks .You must be like me ,up to any 
stunt to help pass the dreary days away.

- 3 - 
I try to envisage you with one of those unsightly buns on the  
back of your neck and after consideration,no. What is your object now, 
to hasten your transition to middle age by trying to look that way. I 
was very fond of your well groomed head but it was'nt attained byx those 
devices. The short style I really think is best for it xxxxxxxxxxx 
sat on your head as neatly and attractively as well as giving you that 
youthful look. After that the coiffeur as represented in that snap I 
sent you is my favorite for that gave full play to that wealth of soft 
curls so nice to look at and so enchanting to plunge your face into 
So if I still can do a bit of blarneying, don't wait until I arrive  
to get my view, get wise to yourself sister and give away that artistic 
scheme. 
Well,its about time xxxxxxxxxxxx I stopped and did a bit 
of work for the afternoon wears on so like the conscientious hound I  
am I will hoe into it .Anyway I haven't any more to say for the present 
and about time I can hear you say . So ta-ta, little mother and give 
Stinker a big kiss from Dad. I think I hinted earlier that I was a bit 
your way,if you skipped that bit,I'm telling you now that you're a 
tasty bit of fluff and I feel rawther in love with you, 
Micky

A.F.W. 3079 [Crown Copyright Reserved] 
(Adapted.) 
ACTIVE SERVICE 
AIR MAIL 
This envelope must not be used for 
coin or valuables. It cannot be accepted 
for registration. 
NOTE:-- 
Correspondence in this envelope need 
not be censored Regimentally. The con- 
tents are liable to examination at the 
Base. 
The following Certificate must be 
signed by the writer:-- 
I certify on my honour that the contents 
of this envelope refer to nothing but private 
and family matters. 
Signature 
Name Only 
AUSTRALIAN 
MILITARY FORCES 
PASSED BY CENSOR 
943 
Michael Billings 
[Up to three letters [[may be sent?]] 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.] 
5-2 44 
Address:-- 
MRS. M. BILLINGS 
548 Barker's Road 
EAST HAWTHORN. 
VICTORIA