Letters from Lt Colin Douglas Simper to Mrs Irene Simper Wallet 2, Part 25

21

MRS C.D. SIMPER

c/o BLACKWOOD P.O.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

21

May 9 

Sx21753 

Lt. Simper CD 2/48 Bn.

aif

Darling wife,

Hullo honey, this is what Ill term a 

Go between letter to keep you going until I get a

more favourable opportunity to write a decent letter

For you see we have moved forward slightly since my

last letter and that entails some work.

Censorship allows us to say we're on the isle of 

TARAKAN and in action against the Jap. You probably

realized that but this will confirm it,

You have no need to worry honey as I personally 

havn't much to do with the fight. Were I still 

with the old Coy things would be entirely different

Len C. and the rest of the blokes are OK, a bit

tired praps but in good spirits, and like me 

its what they all wanted, to see it started

 and get it over with.

It has been raining this last 24 hours, first we've

had since being here and in the jungle it makes 

things pretty uncomfortable, Anyway we have a

roof over our heads (a little tent and we're busy

getting ourselves fixed up off the ground, wogs, crawlies

etc are most annoying when sleeping on terra firma

There was a pretty good town or two here apparently

before the Nip came but he has burnt most of it

before moving out,

The natives are funny enough making their 

woman folk carry all the heavy loads, we of

course cannot understand their talk but signs

and signals acheive something, Theyre happy to

see us and when we pass them they smile and

say something meant for good day! I have a 

small collection of souveniers which Ill send

home later when we're allowed.

But I love you darling, thats important and Ive still 

a couple of letters to answer, havn't received any

since I wrote last.

The jungle of course is the same as it is anywhere,

a few tracks but most choked with undergrowth

ferns trees creepers, etc.

They say there are some apes about here, but Ive 

yet to see them unless the one I saw in the mirror

this morning while shaving was one of them, or it

maybe they reckon the nip looks a bit like them

They couldnt smell any worse,

If you remember that in action is not firing guns

all the time at Japs and a good portion of it

is waiting or moving, or where we're concerned

 making things easier for those who cook for the

lads by building etc.

The big guns are a bit of a nuisance and keep

up and infernal racket but they're doing good

so we cant mind,

Now then honey back to work, I've pinched this ½

hour and must be on the job again.

Cheerio for now, know all the time I love you, know

also that whatever happens you come first, with

[*X*]me first priority our happinness,

Give big kisses for our babies and fond regards

[*X*]to everyone home,

You'll understand that owing to paper shortage

we're not particular whose it is

[*X*]Cheerio for now and God bless you

and keep you safe for me, for 

[*X*]I love you always and ever

Forever

X, 

Col