Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 14 - Part 7 of 13

18.5.44

5/ 
  
joy of meeting our glorious lad 
and from what you have told me 
and what I have seen, that too 
will be a great thrill to a chap who 
thinks kids are beaut, even without 
being an absurdly proud father. 
Little else to tell you from 
him as life is flat and letters 
absent. Am wondering if the two 
parcels I sent have reached you 
yet. Had enough time to have 
made it. So on a note of hope I 
leave you now and trust that I 
won't be talking to you on paper 
much longer. Bless you darling for 
a good run, won't be long now. 
Kiss the wee darling for me, sweet 
and think of me as I'm thinking 
of you. All my love, 
Micky

VX 38483. Sgt. M Billings 
Dist Accounts Office 
New Guinea. 21.5.44

Darling Kay, 
Well, my grumble of the   
other day has been wafted away, for 
two bonzer letters have arrived since 
those of the 13th & 16th. Good news 
too to read that a brace have got to 
you too as well as a couple of parcels. 
Not to mention the Mother's Day 
cards sent to those close to me who 
have duly qualified for the distinction 
not the least of whom, I might say, 
is Mrs. Micky. Junior is surely 
in good fettle, ravenous little beast 
isnt he? Well, if he behaves and 
progresses as famously as he is 
doing at present I forsee a bright 
future for Master Richard but rather 
a wilful & young scamp until he

2/
gets a bit of sense.
I see you are still a bundle 
of activity in putting in a few more 
decorative touches to the shack 
and I don't it doubt that it pleases 
even your critical eye Its jolly good 
to find that your Richard & the 
house are all thriving in unison 
for that state of affairs is most 
welcome at present for the Great 
White Master hovers in the offing 
and will soon be among you to 
cast his benevolent eye over your 
place and its inhabitants. I told 
you in my last letter what I had 
done to try and accelerate the 
processes. Well, I was duly summoned 
to the presence of the chief and 
informed that I was top priority 
for the next draft to go home.

3/ 
Upon inquiry he told me it would 
be in about a month and went as far 
as to say that I could tell the little 
woman. I would definitely be home 
soon. So thats right from the stable 
and best of all I shall go on transfer 
to Victoria. Things are a bit 
complicated at the moment for reasons 
I am unable to tell you but a 
month will soon go and high presto! 
I'll be right there with you. I told 
you I have been feeling a bit peaked 
but that gin had a proper tonic 
effect aided by a short course of 
argyrol drops fair in the eye. 
The chief was very decent about it. 
informed me I had a done a good 
job in the army so he'll do all he 
can to facilitate my movement. It 
is a good feeling to be able to

4/ 
contemplate seeing the shores of New 
Guinea recede for good and all 
However I shall keep my fingers 
crossed until I do shove off but 
just think of it. I can sit back and 
anticipate tangible things, like you 
how you look, how warmly you will 
welcome me, my introduction to 
Richard, the joy of having a life 
all to yourself in a place not infected 
by a horde of men. After so much 
regimentation, I won't know where 
I am but just watch me shake 
down. So, say your prayers that 
there shall be no hitches for to 
my sceptical mind, there must be 
a catch somewhere. Very pleased 
that your fair dresses continue to improve 
if you concede it, then it must be a 
fact and just as well too for you

5/ 
can't expect a maestro like Prof. Micky 
to exercise his talents on second rate 
material. In view of your report, 
I think it is established that you 
have definitely returned and can 
frisk and frolic as strenuously as 
of yore.  You paint a bright and 
vivid picture of Richard and you. 
have no idea how I crave to look  
 the object of your praise over. Jolly 
fine effort of yours, personality and 
individuality lumped in together, 
[hooey] to having a little Lord 
Fauntleroy instead. T'other is far 
more satisfactory to his parents 
and much more promising for his 
own future. 
However there is just one 
point apropos your letter, for which 
I must take you to task. It is

6/ 
your Statement that letters to me are 
retarded because of a host of wifely 
duties that simply must be done 
and to carry it to its natural 
conclusion, must therefore have a 
priority. I do not chide you from a 
sense of wounded pride but to point 
out that that attitude is utter 
bunkum and you know it is. You 
and I are still as closely interwoven 
and dependent on the other as ever 
we were, the acquisition of a house 
or  even the birth of a child can 
never alter that so if that is the 
trend of your mind, you had better 
adjust your sense of values. 
Thanks for getting me that 
padlock so quick smart. I'll keep 
my eyes peeled for it tomorrow. 
Not much news from

7/ 
the good old island. Went to the 
flicks Friday to see Ros. Russell 
in 'What a Woman'. Sparkling 
comedy, quite free from war to 
make it better. So all wot went 
were pleased. Been reviving my 
swimming and had the whole 
morning at the briny at a matter 
of fact. Very nice too, one of the 
few real pleasures. Had a set of 
tennis in the Town Mayor's comp 
during the week but strenuous 
sport is terribly exhausting, 
Well, how I do go on but 
nearly time for tea now. Cheerio, 
darling honeybunch, be seeing you 
soon. Big birdie to Richard 
and words of love to Sweet 
Kay. 
Micky

3 Opened by Censor 
ACTIVE  SERVICE 
AIR MAIL 
Michael Billings 

21.5.44 
Mrs M. Billings 
536 Whitehorse Rd 
Surrey Hills Vict