Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Thanks her for letters and notes those via London take longer. Mentions arrival of book parcels and is hoping for books on farming. Sends thanks for parcels and commiserates over tobacco crop. Offers to send money if they are short. Discusses clothing parcels and costs of telegrams. Glad they are putting more chocolate in parcels. Mentions getting letters from friend in England. Letter has blacked out areas (censor).

1942-11-20

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20099

[four ink stamps]
[postmark]
[underlined] MIT LUFTPOST AB KAIRO. EGYPT [/underlined] 25PF
[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[underlined] AIR MAIL. [/underlined]
MRS C. BAKER.
CHARLTON
INYAZURA
S. RHODESIA
SOUTH AFRICA
[ink stamp]
[postmark]
Absender
Vor und Zuname: P/O DONALD ARTHUR BAKER
Gefangenennummer: 665
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager Luft 3
Deutschland (Germany)
[page break]
20 NOVEMBER 1942
My Dearest Mother, Thanks for three more letters received last night. Latest written September 7TH. I take it they are via North Africa. The ones via London seem to take at least a month longer. It is very flattering to hear that so many nice things have been written about me. There are two more book parcels for me which I have not yet seen but presume they are from Miss Knowles I think I have asked you before to cancel that order as she does not seem to send any decent books to anyone. I hope to receive some on farming soon either from you or Rhodesia House who I have also asked for some. So far have had two book parcels & two cig. from Miss Knowles. Please thank Mrs Curling for her parcel. Anthony has also received his. Am sorry to hear that the tobacco crop has not been such a success this year. There is a fair amount of money saving up for me in England which is no good to me at the moment so if you could use some Mother please let me know as soon as possible so that I can arrange a transfer immediately. I think it is only right you should have it as parcels etc to me must be very expensive Since I have [censored words] two clothing & one uniform parcel so yours must be going to England & held up there. Yes I received your cable for my 21ST, about six weeks late & no mention of a reply with it. Forgot to tell you before. Please dont [sic] cable again as a letter usually arrives quicker & 30/- is a ridiculous price. Am very glad you are putting more chocolate in parcels. I hope it reaches here. [censored sentence] Still receiving letters from Girl friends in England. They are probably under the impression that all Colonials are Gold magnets, or millionaires. Well dear Mother must close now. Much love to you all from your loving son Donald.