Letters from Lt Colin Douglas Simper to Mrs Irene Simper Wallet 2, Part 31

27
Mrs C D Simper
C/o Blackwood P.O.
South Australia

SX21753
LT SIMPER
HQ Coy 2/48  Bn
Aif
20 May
Dearest darling, 
Well honey here I am
again loving you just as much as
ever, to write a few more lines.
I have shifted a little and am
now a few miles further inland
with the lads I mentioned a good
reason in my letter a few days
ago. So you see we are gradually
dealing with the remainder of the nips
I am now well into the jungle again
sitting on a hill.
The tracks in this part of the country
are pretty telling on the chaps, more
so when theyre loaded down with
gear.
Mud and obstacles make the going
hard and when you consider it
takes up to 2½ hours to move
as far as it would be to your

Post Office, then you have an idea
how hard it is
But these lads are tough and have
had a fair bit of experience so
although it knocks the sweat out
of us a lot, we eat salt tablets
and drink as much water as
possible to put back the salt into
the body.
I think we shall have some rain
within an hour or two so Ill have
to bring in all the gear which we
have placed into the sun for airing
as it gets damp over night.
I mentioned too the meals were
pretty good before, but now we are
living on dehydrated stuff and is
a real work of art to soak the stuff
and cook it up for a meal.
I don't think there's any other news.
For you this time honey so I'll go

3
ahead with the answering. No 24. Ive
completed now 25. You started this
at the hair dressers and finished
it at home.
A perm certainly improves you honey
it sort of makes you look more
sophisticated, or something like that
I remember one time we went to
the Regent and you'd just had a perm
about 3 or 4 days old it was and you
looked everything which you are a
real lady, and I was sure proud
of you.
Another thing I don't like to see you
working so hard and often on your
hair to keep it nice, Ive never
yet seen it without a curl and I
think it keeps its attractiveness only
through hard work.
Im sure glad men dont have long
hair anyhow.

4
I have caught the inference of the song
you heard at the dance "Hail [[blurt?]]! etc
I should certainly like to hear it, it
sounds pretty funny.
So the little lady done a good job
with her brace of numbers, looks as

if we're going to have you being
called on to sing at half the social
functions in Clapham district. OH
Mrs Simper? we're holding an evening
at the church Wed night and I was
wondering if you'd sing for us etc!?
Such is fame eh.?
How much does a perm cost by the way?
I am waiting expectantly for your
opinion of the Tivoli, yes rather as
I have seen quite a few shows in
the army and rather enjoyed them
Well honey I may relieve you, if
I say I don't think its possible
for me to get malaria here as I

5.
don't think there's much about, but
we still take the precautions, in any
case, we'll not be here all our lives!!
No cake arrived yet honey.
Well darling having just arrived
here I have quite a bit of work to
do so ill make this only a short
letter this time.
Remember I love you honey if ever my
letters seem a little strange I apologise
its mainly because I have a fair
bit on my mind all the time which
is important to the show and to be
able to write a good letter i want
only to think of you and home there.
Cheers for now darling love to everyone
home and a thousand kisses for you
and our loved ones.
Im up to date in answering so I
shouldn't have much trouble now.
All my love darling
xxxxxxxxx Forever Col