Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Reports arrival of letters and hopes that she had had one from him as he knew that she would be worrying. Was keeping well in body if not in spirit. Played rugby for first time in a while and suffered slight injury. Was also doing P.T. Comments that friend and other Rhodesians were OK. Describes type of golf they played in camp. Notes nights were getting more chilly.

1943-09-04

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20130

[date stamp]
[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[inserted] [underlined] MET LUFTPOST AB KAIRO [/underlined] [/inserted]
[four ink stamps]
[inserted] 25 PFGS. [/inserted]
[date stamp]
An MRS. C. BAKER.
CHARLTON
Empfangsort: INYAZURA
Strasse: S. RHODESIA
Kreis:
Land: SOUTH AFRICAN
[censorship stamp]
[underlined] Gebührenfrei! [/underlined]
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: F/O DONALD ARTHUR BAKER
Gefangenennummer: 665.
Lager-Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager Luft 3
[underlined] Deutschland (Allemagne) [/underlined]
[page break]
4.9.1943
My Dearest Mother, Two letters arrived from you yesterday, June 22nd & 27TH. I do hope you heard from me soon after writing as I know how much you would be worrying. If ever these hitches arise again just put it down to the mail disorganisation which seems to occur occasionally. It is very unlikely that there should be anything wrong with me as I seem to keep very well in body if not always in spirit. Had my first game of Rugger for some time this afternoon & got a slight kick on my leg which is rather painful & makes me limp badly but will be O.K. in a day or so. Am doing P.T. regularly & feel quite fit & the news is very very [sic] cheerful. Anthony is keeping O.K. as are the other Rhodesians in this camp. Golf is quite popular here. I had better explain that as you will probably get the impression that we have a lovely 18 hole course with clubhouse etc. The course runs round the compound next to the huts. The clubs & balls are home made from anything & everything. The game has caused a lot of dispute and countless people have been hit so that you have to be on the continual lookout for balls. If a ball goes out of the compound thats [sic] the time to look round for someone else’s sandshoes to take the rubber soles for a new ball. Fortunately they dont [sic] travel far so there aren’t many lost. Windows are in great danger but we have to take that risk with any of our games here. Nights are getting more chilly & closing in fast so we are being locked in earlier. I find it awful being locked in & never allowed to wander about in the evening. It will be grand to walk among trees as long as I like. This place is just about like a desert. I wish I could write more, but another letter soon. Much love to you all, loving son Donald.