Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 24 May 1941

In Middle East

Wombwell Man’s Letter 

“The people here have no dislike for the English and we get along pretty well with them,” writes Signalman C. H. Baxter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Baxter, 93, Hough Lane, Wombwell, who has been in action against the Italians in the Middle East.

He mentioned that they have Italians for their next door neighbours, that they are “pretty decent people” and the British soldier and just beginning to understand them.

He has made friends with a little girl who looking over his shoulder as he writes. He says the girl’s grandparents were killed by British bombs, but adds that it was their own fault, as they were advised to move out of the danger zone but would not do so. He has sent home the little Italian girl’s photograph.

Signalman Baxter says. “We have a high respect for the Colonial troops and they in return say they look up to us for an example of discipline. We have had several parties with the Aussies and have played hockey and football against the New Zealanders. They will do anything for us. When I say we have between 90 and 100 miles to patrol every day you yeah one minute it may sound a lot, but it is not a lot here. We often do it before dinner, which is taken late in the day because we never know where we may get to throughout the day.”

Signalman Baxter’s father was wounded and permanently disabled on the Somme in the last war.