Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Reports arrival of letters and writes it was good news about Italy but they had no celebrations. Says they get war news from German papers or over radio and ignore what they do not like. Mentions coming winter and that the blankets she sent would be a godsend. Writes about Red Cross parcels and types of meat available. Says he wishes he was not an officer as others spent a lot of time on work parties outside the camp. Mentions what he is reading and talks of sad family news.

1943-09-29

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20131

[underlined] Kreigsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[inserted] MET LUFTPOST AB KAIRO [/inserted]
[four ink stamps]
[date stamp]
An MRS. C. BAKER.
Empfangsort: CHARLTON
Strasse: INYAZURA
Kreis: SOUTHERN RHODESIA
Land: SOUTH AFRICA.
[underlined] Gebührenfrei! [/underlined]
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: DONALD ARTHUR [underlined] BAKER [/underlined]
Gefangenennummer: 665
Lager Bezeichnung: M.-Stammlager Luft 3
[underlined] Deutschland (Allemagne) [/underlined]
[page break]
29:9:1943.
My Dearest Mother, Your latest received so far July 20TH. I presume when you dont [sic] mention how you all are that you are pretty fit. I hope so. Yes Im [sic] sure you’re all looking forward to the end but I don’t think anyone can realise how much we do. It was grand news to hear about Italy but unfortunately we did not have any form of celebration. Yes I think we hear nearly all the war news in the German papers & over the radio, & what we dont [sic] like we just ignore. The winter seems to be setting in early this winter & its pretty chilly already. The two blue blankets you sent me will be a God send again Im [sic] sure and are my most valuable possessions, and Im [sic] envied by the other chaps for having such a thoughtful mother. The R.C. parcels are issued weekly still & the supply seems to be pretty regular, for which we’re pretty thankful. We had a joint of meat a few days ago which was very much appreciated. The meat ration is big enough to allow each room of eight receive one about every 3 months. A fine change is fresh meat as all the R.C. stuff is tinned & English tinned meat seems to have a pretty low proportion of meat, but the Canadian is usually bully beef & “Spam” which is very wholesome. However I expect you can read what our parcel contents in the R.C. magazine. In some ways I almost wish I was not an officer as the others spend a lot of time on working parties which naturally gives them quite a lot more freedom whereas we are not allowed outside the “kraal.” However it probably wont be much longer. Am reading quite a lot of farming stuff & hope it will be useful to me afterwards if I remember it all. It is sad news about Uncle John but was not surprised as he had been so ill. Anthony is keeping pretty fit & bearing up. Well dear mother space is up. Am pretty fit. Much love to you all from your loving son Donald.