Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Reports arrival of letters and notes that those via Cairo are so quick it would not be worth sending mail via London. Thanks for photographs of them. Writes of his ambitions to farm and asks for information. Catches up with family/friends news.

1942-12-21

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20100

[four ink stamps]
[postmark]
[underlined] Kreigsgefangenenpost 25PFGS [/underlined]
[underlined] MIT LUFTPOST AB KAIRO AEGYPTEN. [/underlined]
AIR MAIL
MRS C. BAKER.
CHARLTON.
INYAZURA
S. RHODESIA
S. AFRICA
[ink stamp]
Absender:
Vor und Zuname: P/O DONALD ARTHUR BAKER.
Gefangenennummer: 665.
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager Luft 3
Deutschland (Germany)
[page break]
21ST DEC. 1942.
My Dearest Mother, Was very pleased to receive two letters from you & one from Dad, a few minutes ago. Dads was dated 19TH October & yours 16:8:42 & 7:9:42. The via Cairo letters seem to come through so quickly & regularly that it seems hardly necessary to send any via London as they are always late. The snaps of you & Dad are welcome. Am glad to see that you both look pretty fit. Dad certainly looks very debonair but will have to rectify that style of wearing his hat when I return. Dad does not seem to be enthusiastic about the farming, but am very keen nevertheless. Can you let me know a few things such as cost of land & Government Assistance [inserted] if any [/inserted] Kenya, I believe, are encouraging settlers by offering a loan of 90% of the capital required, if the prospective farmers do a year at Farming School Kenya does not appeal to me as much as Rhodesia & Nyasaland. I note what you say about Miss Knowles sending books on farming – am writing now to tell her that only books on farming at home are of much use to me. Am delighted to hear about Bettys son & [missing words] hear that it’s to be called Donald. I trust all is well, & that Harry is not too proud. Yes I know George Francy very well, but he is still at Luft III. Am pleased the Greens have found something to do & also that its still a hotel. Can drink as well there as anywhere else. Xmas is almost here again – nothing special at this place – but I hope you will have the usual reunion. Who knows, I may be home for the next one Anthony Parker is well & happy as can be expected His mother seems to be a very optimistic person Optimism is not very cheering when its as ridiculous as here seems to be. Cheerhio [sic] dearest all Much love & best wishes from Donald.