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Interview with Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson reminisces about John Blair. He discusses family life in rural Jamaica as a mixed-ethnicity person, highly respected by everyone. He was a qualified teacher, a lawyer, and a farmer. Reminisces other Caribbeans who volunteered and served…
Interview with Jack Kenneth Lyon
Jack Lyon was a navigator/ bomb aimer and a prisoner of war for almost four years. Born in 1918, he was employed with the London Gas Company as a bookkeeper until August 1939 when he transferred to Shell. At the outbreak of the war, Shell closed…
Interview with Philip Peel
Mike Peel was a Lancaster pilot and served on two squadrons before becoming a prisoner of war late in 1944. He was an active sportsman and played tennis in his eighties but unfortunately is no longer with us. Using his logbook, letters, and…
Interview with Henry Leslie Shackleton
Henry Shackleton listened to Chamberlain’s speech on the radio and hoped to be a Spitfire pilot. He began his training and was selected as a flying instructor and was posted to Canada. On his return to the UK he was posted to his operational…
Interview with Jack Edward Simmonds
Jack Simmonds was the son of an RAF serviceman. As a result his childhood was spent moving around a great deal including a few years in Egypt. He joined the RAF and began training as a pilot. He joined 51 Squadron as a Whitley pilot at RAF Dishforth…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that he is in a new camp and life is tolerable there. Hopes to see an acquaintance there soon as he believes all air force prisoners will come there sooner or later. Says no letter from them yet but expecting soon. In a room with three South…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of eleven letters and thanks her. Latest was dated 8 March and came via Cairo. Not sure which direction was fastest. Discusses his mail to her and reassures her he is well. Ask her to contact anyone in Portuguese East Africa or any…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that he had now received fifteen letters and that via Cairo was quickest. Although she still seem anxious hopes his recent letters have reassured her. Catches up on home news and talks about weather. Mentions he received a clothing parcel from…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports that he had now received most of her letters to 19 April as well as other mail which was taking between two to four and a half months to arrive. Writes about a recent variety show and a cricket match in which he played. Mentions also playing…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of latest letters and notes that via London they take four to five months. Mentions letters from others and catches up with news. Says do not worry about war and he is looking forward to seeing them again. Mentions playing cricket and…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Lets her know he fit and he had received no further mail. Mail from England was regular with some taking as little as ten days. Says there is not much in his letters as not much to write about. Mentions concert and that famous fighter pilots Tuck and…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of a number of her letters and mentions that Egyptian food parcels were coming through regularly. Writes that he had had two clothing parcels and discussing post routing. Mentions two book parcels. Explains recent incorrect…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that no letters had arrived and wondered what she thought about him taking up farming after the war. Writes of potential future plans. Is keeping well and parcels arriving regularly. Catches up with family news.
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that he is in a new camp and a change was welcome and train journey a good break. Mentions meeting old friend and catches up with news. Describes new camp and fellow inmates. Catches up with news of other friends. Says still write to him via…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of letters written after hearing that he was alive and well. Assumed it was a shock and did not know how the mistake happened, Mentions mail restrictions being lifted. Says he had his hair shaved off and there had been the first snow.…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Only had one letter in last six weeks and mentions there had been a restriction on their mail but it had now been lifted. Hopes that they had received cable that reports of his death were a mistake. Catches up with other news.
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Had not received any mail due to restrictions. Asked if she got letter of condolence when he was supposed to be dead and clears up matter of girl from Stamford. Says he will need new underwear for next year if they are still there (1943). Resigned to…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Thanks her for letters and notes those via London take longer. Mentions arrival of book parcels and is hoping for books on farming. Sends thanks for parcels and commiserates over tobacco crop. Offers to send money if they are short. Discusses…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of letters and notes that those via Cairo are so quick it would not be worth sending mail via London. Thanks for photographs of them. Writes of his ambitions to farm and asks for information. Catches up with family/friends news.
Postcard from Donald Baker to his father
Writes that he is well and mentions activities and future ambition to farm and asks for her views.
Postcard from Donald Baker to Uncle Jim
Thanks him for his letter and says not to worry about him. Will write again but limited post and nothing happens there anyway. Looking forward to seeing them again sometime.
Postcard from Donald Baker to his mother
Thanks her for letters and says life there continues the same. Mentions friend in camp and his studies. Mentions that it was getting chilly and expects severe winter.
Postcard from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes he is keeping fit and not taking much exercise apart from walking round compound. Mentions book he is reading, that his hair was growing and comments on weather.
Postcard from Donald Baker to Harry Baker
Wishes him happy birthday and best for 1943 and catches up with family news. Writes of farming.
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Discusses what they can send him in parcels and mentions no mail since one dated beginning of October. Says his Egyptian parcels have stopped and only getting half a Red Cross parcel now. Discusses getting people in neutral countries to send food…