Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Sends birthday greetings and hopes that letter would arrive before Christmas. Sends family seasons greetings and sorry he would not be with them again this year. Mentions it was a depressing time. Talks of rumours of repatriation of badly wounded prisoners and others being moved to neutral countries. Reports arrival of letters and mentions that cricket was a failure but had some good soccer matches to watch and was staring rugby again. Concludes with information that Italian prisoners had been sent to Germany and some in camp.

1943-10-11

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20132

[post mark plus four ink stamps]

MRS. C. BAKER
CHARLTON
INYAZURA
SOUTHERN RHODESIA
SOUTH AFRICA.

F/O DONALD ARTHUR BAKER
665

[page break]

11.10.1943.
My Dearest Mother, I hope this will have reached you by Xmas at least, just for your birthdays. However, heres[sic] wishing you both many happy returns and the usual Xmas & New Year greetings to the family. I am very sorry I shall not be with you this one again but still I think it shall certainly be next one. Everyone here is positive of that anyway. The thought of another Xmas here is not at all pleasant as instead of being happy then[?] it is the most depressing time for me. For the last few months there have been rumours about repatriating badly wounded prisoners & now we hear[?] they are to leave before the end of the week. If that comes off O.K. they may get something done for the others. We hear that repatriating to neutral countries of 2 year fellows is being discussed, but rumours in P.O.W. camps are so unreliable that I am not putting much faith in getting out before the end of the war. However one never knows. Your letters of July 14th & Aug 8th received this month. In the latter you mention replying to 3 of mine received at once. That hasn’t come yet but letters never seem[?] to come through in order. Am afraid the cricket was rather a failure this year, but have had some good Soccer Matches to watch & am starting to play rugger[?] again. It seems[?] most of the Italian prisoners have been sent up to Germany & one or two are in the next compound including Anthonys[sic] friend Ken Wilson from Sky[Skye]. They seem to have had a gruelling time & what a bitter disappointment for them. Am quite fit. Much love to all from your loving son Donald