Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Writes about postcards he is sending and letters he is expecting. Asks about use of prisoner of war labour on Rhodesian farms. Says sorry he will not be with them at festive season which is when he expects this letter will get to them. Asks he not to worry and catches up with gossip.

1944-09-23

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20156

[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[inserted] MIT LUFTPOST AB KAIRO [/inserted]
[ink stamp]
[date stamp]
An MRS. C. BAKER
CHARLTON
Emfangsort: INYAZURA
Strasse: SOUTHERN
Kreis: RHODESIA
Land: SOUTH AFRICA
[two ink stamps]
[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]
23.9.1944
My Dearest Mother, I wrote you a postcard a few days ago and heres [sic] another to let you know alls [sic] well here. Am looking forward to Harrys letter which you said he was writing – yes I expect he is certainly very busy. Isn’t there any P.O.W. labour to be had in Rhodesia. Some fellows from the Union have heard that their people (some farmers) are using p.o.w. on the farms and they seemed to be having a fair time – eating oranges & bathing in the sea most of the time. I expect this should reach you about the festive season. I am very sorry indeed that I shan’t be with you all again this time – the best to hope for I suppose is to be in England then. However dear mother don’t spoil your Xmas by worrying about me as we shall be O.K. There will be no raisin wine this time as it is forbidden to make it and just as well probably – this is no place to drink in. Ron Michell received a news letter from Ticky Baggett the other day – wish we could get more of them. I go to lectures on Agriculture periodically but haven’t dared to speak again – am surprised at any temerity at doing so before. I hope what little I learn will be useful. I wrote to my bank to buy Rhodesian Loan Certificates if they can get them. Much love to you all from your loving son
Donald.