Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Writes that there is not much to do in local area but this was just as well as they were very busy and had no spare cash anyway. Mentions pay only at end of month and dangers of mess bills. Writes that he will be going on to bombers, probably Hampdens. Had not flown one yet but was doing night cross countries in Anson. Describes night cross countries in blackout. Discusses family news and that he had not forgotten father's advice on booze.

1941-07-24

Five page handwritten letter and envelope

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SBakerDA19210428v20038

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Mrs. C. Baker.
Charlton
Inyagura
S. Rhodesia
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[underlined] 1 [/underlined]
Officers Mess
R.A.F.
Upper Heyford
Oxon.
England.
July 24 1941.
My Dearest Mother,
Thank you for yours written on June 8th and am glad to hear that you are are [sic] all keeping well Am glad to say that am well and happy myself but as I said before this is not much of a place to be stationed as it is so difficult to get anywhere to go on the spree. However
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perhaps thats [sic] just as well as we are kept very busy and apart from that have not much cash to play with as we only get paid at the end of the month. That is one disadvantage of being an officer and all drinks cigs. etc are put on the mess bill which is rather dangerous but am pretty certain that I shall manage fine in that respect. All our pay is paid into the bank so shall possibly manage to save a little as there are practically no outside expenses
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As you will know from my last letter am going on bombers which will probably be Hampdens. Have not started flying them yet but have been practicing day & night cross countries on Ansons which are very easy to fly. Night cross countries are strange at first but there is always a navigator to pick out beacons etc. The blackout is very effective indeed and one can fly over towns never noticing them. The only dangerous thing is that some towns have balloon barrages which makes
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one rather nervous at times.
I think it would be grand flying at night in a country without a blackout.
You mention a fire in the old setting soon. Yes it will [deleted] fie [/deleted] be wonderful when this is over and I can join you all again, but its no good getting sentimental about it as “there’s a war on” and in the meantime am enjoying myself as much as I can, but tell Dad that I have not forgotten his advice about girls and “booze”, and have adhered pretty strictly to it. Don’t think that I am not
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going out with girls and I do have a drink and get “merry” on special occasions i.e. when I got my wings.
Well dear mother must close as am doing a Cross Country tonight and must get particulars about it.
Much love to you all
from your loving son
Donald