Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Thanks her for letter and all the other things she sent. Writes that he has now moved from Paignton to elementary flying school at Brough. Says that conditions there were very nice and mentions nothing to do in local area but had to go to Hull. Describes work he has had to do including lectures and flying. Writes of progress in flying and weather. Mentions facilities and difficulties of the course. Writes of mail received from relatives and passes on news. Concludes with more about weather and sleeping out in old school building due to bombing.

1941-01-14

Four page handwritten letter

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SBakerDA19210428v20022

[circled 1]
c/o Rhodesia House
Etc.
14th January 1941.
My Dearest Mother,
Since I last wrote I have received a letter a newspaper and a parcel of [deleted] sweets [/deleted] chocolate and cigarettes also a pair of socks. Thank you very much for them all. Am glad to hear that you are all very fit and happy.
Am very glad to say that I have at last been posted [deleted] [indecipherable letters] [/deleted] to a flying school. We left Paignton last Tuesday, a week ago today, and arrived here the following morning. We are now stationed at 4 E.F.T.S. Brough which is fairly near Hull. It is very nice here and the conditions are far better than any of the other places I have been in so far. The town is very small and there are no entertainments at all so for anything after that nature we have to go Hull which costs about 1/8 return on the train
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However we are kept more busy here than at Paignton and to pass the exams one has to do an awful lot of private study apart from the recognised lectures. We have lectures all morning and weather permitting, we fly in the afternoon. Up to now have done 2 1/2 hours, which is all dual, just learning the various manoeuvres etc, but the instructor is always there to check up and show you how it should be done. The weather is not too good for flying just now so consequently we cannot get in much which is disappointing as it is just fine flying around. The instructors are very nice and help you all they can.
We have a very nice lounge and separate writing room nicely furnished. We have tablecloths again, cups and saucers instead of mugs, and last but not least by a long way, we have butter jam and [deleted] should [/deleted] sugar on the table
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which is very good, considering the position. There [deleted] are [/deleted] [inserted] is [/inserted] also a mess where we can get beer and soft drinks so generally speaking we are living like gentlemen. It will be a bit of a blow to go back to the old state if I fail. We have to average well over 60% on all subjects so it will take a bit of work.
Had a letter from Aunt Ella the other day and glad to say they are all well. Uncle Jack has not been so fit but she says it’s probably just the cold weather.
Received a telegram from Harry on the 12th wishing me a Happy New Year. Rather late but still better late than never.
There was a bit of snow here last evening but that is much better than frost as the latter seems about 3 times as cold. We sleep out every second night in an old Sunday school building so that in the event of a lot of air raids we can
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4.
get a decent nights sleep, but nothing like that has happened so far.
Well dear Mother I must close now with very much love to you all.
from your loving son
Donald.