Letters from Lt Colin Douglas Simper to Mrs Irene Simper Wallet 2, Part 28

NO STAMP
AVAILABLE
24 *
MRS C.D. SIMPER
C/O BLACKWOOD P.O
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CD Simper 

SX 21753
LT SIMPER, C D.
HQ COY 2/48.
May 14-
Dearest darling wife,
Well today is Monday
and this should find you with a
line full of clothes that won't dry, why
because it's raining, right?
I have just finished dinner and as
far as washing is concerned I have
no worries for my batty is a good
man and looks after me well. I
seem to do alright with the batmen, I
had a good one in A Coy if you
remember.
I received no 22 yesterday, written 2nd
May, it certainly takes a fair while
to get here. They should only take
6 or 8 days.
Since writing last we have built
a bridge across a river here and
it took 1½ days to do, finished it
this morning and trucks are already
using it, it's quite a good bridge 

2
and should take a 3 ton truck OK.
We have a fair bit of work on 
hand at present but I have said
wer'e having the afternoon off. I know
the lads have earnt a spell, first
since landing here.
Our plumber has erected a shower for
us and we are gradually getting our
selves comfortable here.
The truck which we found (a Jap
truck is handy for carrying stores
for our work and we have a 
first class mechanic looking after it.
One of the lads has given me a 
pair of rubber boots and when it 
gets damp under foot I use them
to good effect.
We don't get much news here even 
of our own part in the show, and
if there be any cuttings you can
send about the campaign will you
include them with your letter, its

3
alright to read what our folks are
reading at home.
You'll find some Jap money mostly
invasion currency with this, it's
worthless but may be of interest
to see.
You mention in your letter 27 Apr that 
pop took over whilst you went to
the pictures, I certainly had a 
laugh re his efforts with the
nappy, and really I am surprised at
him why even I was taught better
I told you, you were a good teacher 
didn't I?
No didnt  see "Big Shot" and "Dark Tower"
haven't time anyway to see pictures,
anyway there's no to see here as yet.
And my darling wife will be 23
in a month or so, well when I 
was 23 I thought I was just the 
right age, and now Im 26 I still 
think so, Im as fit as ever and

4
I reckon Ive put on wait these last
few days, I always do with a bit of
work,
Now you say your'e proud to have me
in the fighting line and ask if I 
understand, you bet I do, I know
quite well that when you meet other 
people with Chaps in the Army I or
them generally crop up and I realize
its much easier for you to have 
your say if Im here to back you.
Whereas while Im in Aussie you 
feel you have no right to any opinion 
thats right isnt it?
Well now finally in this letter Im
answering I can say that my birthday 
was spent aboard ship on my way
here so its the first birthday Ive 
spent on the water.
Now No 21. 
You've received the wallet etc., and I
was amuzed at your vam vehemence

over 1

5
in telling me you didnt read the M.L.
book, if only you knew how much
I realized you wouldn't, I expected 
this remark you know and laughed
about it when packing the book.
Can't understand Eleanor being off her
tucker, she seems quite happy to
go without and yet really she's not
eating enough to do her good, rather
a problem for you I can see. Maybe
as you say she'll pick up. hope so
anyway.
I see you have an extra train running
now 10.30, things are looking up,
there's certainly a lot of people moving 
in and around Blackwood and its
surprising how they accumulate
(Clyde Simpson was down while you 
were writing this letter)
I've got 2 snaps of you, the one taken 
at Bridgewater (you are standing by
the pool with your hand raised,
The other is the one of you taken 
at the park sitting on the  illustration - see original document

6
brickwork.  They were the only small
snaps of your I had. Id like to
get one of you a small one on your
own in taken on a small camera. 
Then I have the photo of Eleanor
walking down the path, and the
one with both babies on the lawn.
The one in bathers I scrapped, the
one on the fish pond.
You mention some tripe about actors
getting jealous if I were in Hollywood
I guess there'd be many other blokes
jealous besides,
Im glad to know the doc said Eleanor 
is OK., castor oil seems to be the 
remedy
Have got the Aunt Jean babies OK
now, but of a mix up.
You reckon we'll have differences of
opinions bout politics, yes, that may
be, but it will be alright for 
us to argue because we won't get
wild and consequently stupid with 

6 7
pride and anger afterwards, you probably
had read 'bout folks who won't
speak to one another sometimes for
years on end.  How are they, they 
wan't a good boot in the backside

As far as arguments go, as soon as 
someone gets wild I'm finished, its 
not any fun then, I dont mind
saying I like a good argument, enjoy
the battle of words.
You write - I wouldnt exchange my life
with you and our kiddies, I wouldn't
exchange our dreams for the future, I wouldnt
for anything in the world, - honey I
wish you could see, know how much
that means to me, see just how it 
lifts me clear away from here, right
to where you are, makes me know &
realize how you love me,
There are a few things in life, something
you see, something you read, theyre
unique, and I know that if I read
those lines every day I'll still get a

8
wonderful thrill from each word, they
are each one alive with love and
my love is equal to anything what
so ever.
Well darling I shall leave it for now
write a few lines in answer to one
from Mum xx,
Not a minute passes by that I dont love
you and not a day passes that I
havn't had longing loving thoughts of
you, its all the time, on me to stay
big and glorious for always.
Big Kisses for our darlings, You have
written well of them, I  know just how
they are and the little things you
write has placed me with them
again
Regards to Mum xxx and the family,
May be able to get some Jap stamps
for Valerie,
Cheerio I leave you well, and cheerful
of the future, with fondest love from 
Your ole man who lives for you
XXXX Forever Col.