Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Letter from Donald Baker to his mother

Note at top that although dated 1943 meant 1944. Writes that he burned all his letters and that he had received one from her nearly every week apart from when they received the incorrect report from the red cross in 1942. Apologises that there was little news in his letters but they were out of touch. Comments on the effect camp has had on him and mentions that winter is coming. He writes that they have had to double their bunks up to make more floor space round the stove for winter.

1944-11-10

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20159

[underlined] Kreigsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[inserted] [underlined] MIT LUFT POST AB KAIRO [/underlined] [/inserted]
[ink stamp]
[date stamp]
An MRS. C. BAKER
CHARLTON
Emfangsort: INYAZURA
Strasse: S. RHODESIA
Kries:
Land: SOUTH AFRICA
[two ink stamps]
Gebührenfrei!
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: F/O DONALD A. BAKER
Gefangenennummer: 665.
Lager-Bezeichnung: KRIEGSGEFANGENENLAGER DER LUFTWAFFE M. STAMMLAGER LUFT III
[underlined] Deutschland (Allemagne) [/underlined]
[circled B]
[page break]
[inserted] PS. I think he meant 44 instead of 43 received here a couple of weeks ago [/inserted]
10.11.1943
My Dearest Mother, Yesterday during a “Spring” cleaning I burnt all my letters after going through them all again. There was one from you for every week except when you received that wrong report from the Red X in 1942. How awful that must have been for you. Was amused at Busters letter of Jan 1942 saying he ever hoped I should be free by my birthday. You must always be disappointed in my letters as when I think back they might have been written by a stranger. It must be the effect of being here as we are so out of touch really and I think we develop a pretty “hard” outlook after [two indecipherable words] is very popular here but I think a lot of people just affect. Let’s hope you wont find me too bad because I’ve lived with a few on and off and know how unpleasant they are. It’s getting pretty wintery again and we are spending more time indoors again, which is very awkward with 12 people per room. Today has been one of great activity as we converted 6 double tier bunks into 4 three tiers, to make more floor space around the stove for the winter. I again selected a top-tier which makes my head hit the ceiling when I sit up in bed, but seems to be more secluded. The conversion is quite some job with make-shift tools, but should be good experience for would be Rhodesian farmers! However I dont [sic] look forward to getting up during the night in darkness. Much love to you dear Mother and the family from your loving son Donald