Letters from Ernest William Baker to his Family, 1914-1918 - Part 2

13/4/16
Somewhere in France
My own dearest Sister
I received a letter 
from you dated 18/3/16 & later 3/4/16  
the other day & I'm so sorry
you didn't get my letter;  but better  
luck this time.
You see by the above  
your belief about Kut was wrong.
I say it was hard
luck you did not see me on the 
pictures;  but I am willing to bet
any money the pictures of the landing
at Sulva Bay was an absolute
"fake".   Can you imagine they would
allow any cinema photographer to be
present at an important move like that.
I received your "Punch"  
& its fine.
I wish those beastly "Zepps" 
would leave you alone, they are 
troubling Molly a bit I think.
It was lovely to hit

(2) 
a bit of land so like old 
England & after we left Marseilles 
in the train I saw a lot of wild 
Violets & primroses & Cowslips & the  
boys thought I had gone "dilly" 
I was so excited at seeing them again 
I am glad you have had 
beautiful weather, as we are having  
a horrible wet time just now. 
I say its not a bit of 
good me trying to write. I keep 
on getting interrupted &  now my 
"caboosh" is being raided by a lot 
of serjents who want to warm up 
& are all talking & laughing & absolutely 
refuse to let me write 
So good bye for the present 
Fondest love to all 
Ever your loving brother 
Ernie

France 
24/5/16 
Dearest of Mothers 
Just a few lines 
to let you know all is 
well with me. 
I received a 
letter from _^both you & Jennie 
My Word! Didn't  
my leave fly bye. I am 
simply looking for the next. 
I hope it will not 
be another 21 months.  Perhaps 
the next leave will be  
permanent & this "bally" old 
war will be over;  but 
I'm afraid we can't expect 
that too soon. 
Things are very

(2) 
quiet here just now. 
Just the usual old 
bombing & shelling. 
I have absolutely no 
news for you. I suppose all 
the news you really want 
is what is contained in my 
first sentence. 
I am delighted dad  
was able to get the 1½ Tins of 
Red it will keep him going 
for a few days. 
As I am rather busy 
I must curtail this little note. 
Fondest love to all 
God bless & guard you 
Ever your loving Son 
Ernie 
P.S.  
Please don't put 
my Brigade on address 
it is forbidden 
only put (overleaf)

E.W. BAKER 
W.O. 
Head Qrs Staff 
20^th Bttn 
A.I.F. 
France.

France 
19/6/16 
Dearest Jennie 
A line to 
let you know I've still 
got a kick in me. 
Things have been 
pretty lively round here just 
lately & we are going into 
rest for 28 days shortly. 
This item is  
just about all the news there 
is to tell. 
Ever tried to write 
a letter when there is nothing 
to talk about? I tell you its 
a great game. I've been sitting 
here for the last 5 minutes trying 
to find something to say;  but can't 
Ah! happy though. The weather 
has been very bad since I got

(2) 
back here;  but the last two 
days have been dry;  though 
still very cold.  It doesn't seem 
5 weeks since I got back, but 
it is, & I'll soon be looking 
for more leave.  You see I will  
be running home again before 
"no time". 
Has Ernie R been able 
to get his passport yet?  I 
hope he does, it will mean so 
much to them. & its a lovely 
climate for children. 
How are all the inhabitants 
of the Nest keeping?  Mother doesn't  
mention health at all in her last 
letter. I sent Dad a pocket 
book per hand a day or two 
ago. Hope he received it safely 
& that you like the bearer.

(3) 
If this reaches you in time 
As him if he remembers our 
last feed on Russells Top. 
I bet he smiles. It was  
some feed, I tell you. 
Soup (Pea) Fish (Sardines) Aintree 
(Machonochi Ration Stew) Poultry (Tinned Chicken) 
very tough  Sweets (Tinned Peaches & Pears) 
& Ideal milk. Bread Butter cheese 
coffee. Hows that for active service 
Oh! I forgot Licquer (Rum.) 
I don't know who's birthday 
it was now. We had menu cards 
(old postcards) & all signed our 
autographs. I lost mine somewhere  
when we made our last move. 
It was an interesting 
souvanier. 
I must cease my chatter 
now as its nearly 4 o'clock (A.M.)

& I must turn in. 
Give me love to  
Mother & Dad & keep heaps 
for your own dear self. 
Good-night God bless 
& guard you all 
Ever your loving old brother 
Ernie

France 
26/6/16 
  
Dearest of Mothers 
I received your 
letter of the 21^st inst last 
night.  So glad you like  
my pall Win Charter. But why 
accuse him of being an 
Annanias?  Don't you really  
think a decent boy enjoys 
a few hours in a real  
home after being away for  
12 months roughing it? 
Hope Dad had a good 
time showing them about London 
Giddy old Days. 
I hope your prognostication 
re end of war is correct. 
I hope Ernie R has not