Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Dated incorrectly 6 January 1943. Greeting from 1944 and hopes to be with them by end of year. Catches up with news of friends in camp. Writes that the only really warm place is in bed and they are half way through winter with the worst to come. Mentions other letters and news but letters from home not getting through. Comments that air mail service from South Africa might help letters from Rhodesia. Asks if they had heard any more about land settlement.

1944-01-06

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20142

[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]

[underlined] Mit Luft Post
AB Kairo [/underlined]

[post mark] [rubber stamp]

Mrs C Baker.
Charlton.
Inyazura
Southern Rhodesia.
South Africa.

F/O Donald Arthur Baker.
665

[page break]
6.1.1943

My Dearest Mother, Well here we are into 1944 and I do hope that by the end of the year I shall be with you all again. No doubt you are worrying all the time how I'm being treated so you'll be so less pleased than myself when I’m out of here. Anthony has recovered from his 'flu & is out of hospital. George Haller also had a spell but is better except for the cold & cough that we all seem to have. The only really warm place these winter days is in bed, and the trouble with that is that one has so much time to brood. Well we’re half way through the winter & though the worst is still to come am glad to say that the first half has been fairly mild. However these wooden huts are more comfortable than the ones we had last Xmas. Had Frances’ letter last week so please thank her very much. Was surprised to hear that David is now at school, but I keep forgetting that its almost 4 yrs since I saw you all. Am very disappointed that your letters are not coming through at all well. However Anthony has received quite a few recently from Inyazura so am not really worried. I believe there is now an airmail route from the union to North Africa so possibly the Rhodesian stuff will come that way. Have you heard anymore about the land settlement. I hope these people are sincere in the promises for ex serviceman, but am not relying on anything. Well cheerio again dear mother.
Love to you all. Many happy returns to Harry. Your loving son Donald.