Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 14 - Part 12 of 13

Warwick 19-6-44

Darling Kay,
How are you, sweetheart
after the doleful tales I have been
wishing on you this past week.  I'm
sorry if I had made you sad at through
the unexpected turn of events upon my
arrival in from New Guinea.  Am still
out in the sticks but expect a recall
to Brisbane any day now.  After a
few day's reflection, I have high hopes
that the matter will be adjusted
there for if there is any justice in
the world, surely I must get my
leave.  I dare not complete contemplate
the position if they turn me down
for I should go beserk. However, I
must keep my head.  The absurdity
of the position is amazing, the officers
we saw said we could go on leave
if we could be replaced. Replace

2/

three men when they have hundreds.
Wouldn't it amaze you.  It has made
me dead against the army after such
shabby treatment and I'm going
flat out after a discharge and hope
the Dairy Board can put up a
strong case to manpower.  However,
keep your pecker up, my darling and
pray that we shall be together again
soon for I'm mad to see you and
Richard and the thought of having
this dreadful separation prolonged
makes me go sick inside.  Please don't
thing I am only thinking of myself,
for the thought of you being cheated
out of our happiest hour, just when
the end seemed in sight.  Be
assured I shall fight to the last ditch
to get my due for even if it sounds
theatrical, I can't get along much

3/

longer without seeing you and the
lad.  I shall write you frequently
of course to keep you updated but hope
that on return to Brisbane, I shall
be overjoyed to send you a wire that
I am on my way to your arms.
I have had a couple of
visits from John and it has been a
break to see him though I fear I have
been poor company for him.  He's
a good lad though and doesn't go
pouring his troubles on to me although
he doesn't get much of a spin where
he is.  It has been freezing cold
every day here, a white frost this
morning and I'm just beginning to
feel like a human being.   Gee it
has played up with me like fun
and in my present mood makes a chap
feel wretched.  I suppose its

4/

inevitable after the tropics where your
blood gets as thin as water.  I forgot
to tell you.  I dashed out to see the
Rawlings while I was in town and
had a yarn with them but hardly
heard a word they said.  Reg has
aged a lot in every way and the way
I felt rather got on my nerves.  Katie
was just the same though and they
were very pleased to see me and sent
you lots of love.
The place here could be
a lot worse.  It's comfortable as its
an old pub so have plenty of room
an, the fresh food is a welcome
change and the chaps here very
decent and very sympathetic on of our
predicament.  I'm guzzling all the
grog I can to get to try and drive the
blues away with but fleeting success

5/

for I have one obsession and that you
can easily get guess.
Well my own darling
that's all for now,  please dont feel
too badly at me for being such an
indifferent husband but I can't seem
to get a break and feel rotten for
I know your heart is like myself.
I have just finished a note to Ern
Du Cros regarding getting a discharge.
Now I feel that I can't bring too
many guns to bear so in say a
weeks time, after you get this would you make an
appointment with him and add your
pleas to him to achieve our aims.
I don't feel too happy asking you to do
this but just think how wonderful
it would be to be together for keeps,
just keep that in mind.  However, if
you here that I am coming, you need

6/

not worry about it, but just in case,
and if I have to rely on correspondence
your bu persuasive powers could well
clinch it.
I hope to hear from you
soon, my present address is 13
Aus. Depot Cash Office Warwick
but I hope to get from here soon.
Bye-bye, sweetest girl ever.  Kiss
the laddie and pray for a
break for us.
Yours always
Micky

WARWICK
1 25PM
17 JNE
1944
QLD AUST.

19.6.44
Mrs M. Billings
536 Whitehorse Rd.
Surrey Hills. Victoria

Warwick Q   21  6  44

Darling Kay,
Unfortunately, am still
imprisoned out here, and getting
very impatient to get some tidings
as to my fate but so far, not a
word.  Should come any day now
and I've my fingers crossed that
it won't be any more bad news.
Very sorry the little chap
won't see Dad on the morrow.  If
your disappointment equals mine,
and I know it does, it must be
acute, for I seemed a certainty to
make it and its a cruel blow to
get knocked back on your heels.
However, it may turn out to be a 
short disappointment but the waiting
is right hard.
I sent off a wire to little
Richard yesterday and hope it

2/

gets there for his first birthday.
Bonzer lad, how I'm longing to
see him; don't forget to give him
an extra big kiss on the 22nd.
I am hoping to get a
letter from you any time now
but like a fool forgot to send
my first letter airmail, but you
know how it is when everything
goes wrong, one's thoughts are
atrophied.  I would have got you to
ring me but thought we would
not be here.  If you had had the
phone on, I would have rung you
right away.  Hadn't a chance in
Brisbane, we were hustled off
out here in a trice.
I regret my first letter to you
was such a wretched affair and
knowing how much it would

3/

upset you, could kick myself for
not waiting until I had cooled
down a bit and saw things a
bit less askew.  Sorry, pet, I shall
make amends when I see you
next which I pray will be soon
I know the waiting is just as bad
for you and you have had to be
a very plucky girl to keep going
so long.  You are a true lover and
its rotten not to be with you for
you are everything to me.  I hope
to hear from you soon to see what
you think of certain proposals I
spoke of.  I haven't done anything as
yet about seeking a discharge
thinking it better to wait and see
how this infamy pans out. So
don't do a thing about what I
told you about going to see Ernie
Du Cros until I let you know

4/

definitely.  On reflection, I have my
doubts as to the wisdom of that
but when I know for sure if they
are going to try and put a fast
one over me, and I am inclined
to think you will take the matter
into your own hands  If that
becomes necessary, I suggest you
collaborate with Chas but we
shall we see.  Everything is in
the melting pot just now so theres
not much we can do just now.
How are you, my poor
darling?  It worries me to even
think of you out there on your own
waiting and waiting.
For my part, I am all
right although the severe cold is
enough to give you the blues.
Il  Seek refuge in the bottle

5/

as often as I can to try and cheer
up a bit but its not a great success.
Can't think of anything
else to tell you about just now but
will continue my discourse in
a day or two.
Cheerio, my precious Kay
and be assured that I'm loving
you every minute and am dying to
kiss you.  Pray for good news
and a quick and happy reunion.
Yours always
Micky

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION

WARWICK
6 30AM
22 JNE
1944
QLD  AUST.

21.6.44
Mrs M. Billings,
536 Whitehorse Rd
Surrey Hills
Victoria

Warwick 22 23 . 6 . 44

Darling,
Received yours of the 19th
this morning and as I have good
news this morning to tell you.
The Chief here journeyed to Brisbane
yesterday and on his return brought
good news to the effect that as
regards my leave, there was no
need to worry as we had only be
sent here until our replacements
arrived.  That might take another
fortnight to effect but I was
assured in black and white that it
was never contemplated that I should
go away, the drill now seems to be
that those who have yet to depart
Australia's shores are getting sent away
first, veterans like myself taking a
back seat.  So the position seems
to be restored, thank God and I