Letter from Donald Baker to Harry Baker

Letter from Donald Baker to Harry Baker

Mentions writing previously to congratulate him on birth of daughter. Catches up with gossip from home and suggests he prepare for party when he gets home. Discusses farming and book he had read and speculates on his future employment. Writes he was keeping fit but not playing rugby as he did not want to over do it. However, there had been some good games.

1944-11-19

Handwritten prisoner of war letter form

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SBakerDA19210428v20160

[underlined] Kriegegefangenenpost [/underlined]
[inserted] MIT LUFTPOST AB KAIRO [/inserted]
[ink stamp]
[date stamp]
An MR. H. BAKER
CHARLTON
Empfangsort: INYAZURA
Strasse: S. RHODESIA
Kreis:
Land: SOUTH AFRICA
[two ink stamps]
Gebührenfrei!
Absender: Vor- und Zuname: F/O DONALD ARTHUR BAKER
Gefangenennummer: 665
Lager-Bezeichnung: M. Stammlager Luft III
[underlined] Deutschland (Allemagne) [/underlined]
[circled B]
[page break]
19.11.1944.
My Dear Harry, I went some while back to congratulate you and Betty on Rose Marie Margaret but heres [sic] another in case the other doesn’t reach you. It’s fine to hear that Betty and the Babe are both fine. Don’t forget to save up mawingu beer for that big bust up were [sic] going to have when I get back. You’d better start making excuses to Betty now for getting drunk then, because we’ll certainly have plenty to celebrate. Also, you’d better save the fattest calf of the farm as that should just about satisfy my hunger. Mother says the crop averaged 2/- which seems pretty high. What sort of yield did you get as we hear that fertilizer is pretty expensive and difficult to come by. Have just finished a book called the “Agricultural Testament” by the chap who developed the “Indore Compost” process with an appendix by Capt. Moubray of Chipoli. Have taken a few notes but expect you’ll be able to teach me all that pretty quickly. Am still wanting to go farming if I can possibly manage. David Cowland-Cooper who was with Strong before the war and is now in our room, gives me the odd tip. Am keeping very fit but not playing any Rugger this season as we are on half parcels and I dont [sic] want to overdo it, ‘though a lot of people have been playing & some very good games. By the way how is the I.Y. team getting along. Well Cheerio buetie, drop me a line. Am very keen to hear about the children & looking forward so much to see you all.
Your loving brother Donald.