Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Received her third letter and says he is still at Bridgnorth. Mention he passed his medical for pilot and is awaiting posting for training. Mentions 175 Germans shot down previous day. Mentions weather, going to Wolverhampton and other activities including during air raids. Mentions letters from relatives but probably impossible to visit. Catches up with other news and discusses mail sent/received and his deferred pay.

1940-09-16

Four page handwritten letter

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SBakerDA19210428v20013

c/o High Commissioner etc
16th Sept 1940.
My Dearest Mother,
Have received the third letter from you posted on [deleted] July [/deleted] Aug 4th, 10 days previous to the last one I received. However they are all welcome.
Am still at Bridgnorth You’ll be pleased to hear that I passed my Medical Test for a pilot and am waiting now to be posted for training. Judging by the news there is a spot of excitement to be had in the air 175 Germans down yesterday.
The weather has changed a lot in the last week. A lot of drizzle & cold. Went to Wolverhampton Saturday and the Sirens (Air Raid) sounded at 8 pm. Went to a dance which continued despite
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the raid. We left about 10 pm and so tried to get lodgings and we walked that town till [deleted] 4 [/deleted] 2 am without success. In desperation we went to an Air Raid shelter and managed to get an hours sleep till six o’clock. We then found an hotel that we knew about but couldn’t find it in the “black out” and lost ourselves in the effort. However we took a bed at six a.m. and breakfast at 2 pm. What a night as it was cold & raining and nobody seems to be able to direct one to anywhere decent.
Had a letter from Uncle Jim Said he had heard from you and of course wants me to go up there but it is absolutely impossible for the time being
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Tell Harry please that John Anderson who he knew at the tobacco station is over here and wishes to be remembered to him also Michael.
Saw a 6 weeks old Chronicle today. Big headlines about Rhodesian Air Contingent arriving in Britain. Must have caused quite a consternation when we left at the dead of night Yes I heard you shout
[underlined] Wednesday 17th [/underlined]
Just received another letter from you Glad you received the cable I was beginning to wonder when you would acknowledge it. By this time you should have received a few letters. I wrote to you from Cape Verde so you should have received that long ago
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Well dear mother I must close now hoping this finds you all as well and happy as it leaves me.
Much love to all in Rhodesia.
from
Your loving son
Donald