Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Received her first letter recently and reiterates that he is fit and quite happy. Writes of other mail received. Mentions that life was much the same but that snow was thawing. Says he received photographs from his brother. Writes that there are a few South Africans there from Libyan campaign. Hopes that tobacco prices were good.

1942-03-10

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20077

Avion
[three ink stamps]
[two postmarks]
MRS C. BAKER
“CHARLTON”, INYAZURA, S. RHODESIA
VIA. [deleted] MRS KNATCHBULL-HUGESTON
C/O BRITISH LEGATION.
ANKARA
TURKEY [/deleted]
[postmark]
[ink stamp]
Absender:
Vor und Zuname: DONALD ARTHUR BAKER
Gefangenennummer: 665
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager Luft [deleted] 2 [/deleted] [inserted] 1 [/inserted]
Deutschland (Germany)
[page break]
[missing word] 10TH MARCH 1942
My Dearest Mother, Last Tuesday was delighted to receive your first letter written since I arrived here & also to hear that you had had news of me soon after. I hope you have received my other letters long ere this but will just reassert that am perfectly fit happy. Have hopes of getting home fairly soon but maybe that is your optimism coming out in me. Rhodesia House has forwarded letters from you Jack & Harry – all written when you were on holiday. Rather late but very welcome. Have had mail from Lewis set & various girl friends – don’t panic, am not engaged but was saved by the gong, so to speak. Life here much the same but snow is thawing and weather considerably warmer. Received snaps from Harry taken at Inyanga & one of his house. Very cosy it looks. Also one of you & Dad taken in Jo’burg. Have shaved off my “Goatee” as it annoyed me. I believe I resembled [two indecipherable words]. There are a few South Africans here from the Libyan campaign. One fellow by the name of Stevens claims acquaintance with the Donalds of Kloof St. Heard from Dan that Mr Stickland died in January. Trust you will have received excellent prices for the tobacco, & also that this finds you in the very best of health & spirits. Regards to friends & best love to you all from
Donald