Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Writes that he was pleased to get a letter from Red Cross at Geneva informing him that his name had been forwarded to the prisoner of war information bureau in London and that they would inform his parents of his address. Mentions he has written three letters to them sand hopes they will reach them. He says he is well but has sore foot from football. Has a good appetite and is smoking very strong cigarettes. Mentions weather and that the will have to be patient. Writes that they get news from local French papers and of how domesticated he has become.

1940-10-03

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE401003-01

755052
Sgt. Chef. T.[?] D. Hudson
Camp de Sejour Surveille
LE KEF.
TUNISIE
AFRIQUE DU NORD.

3rd October 1940.

My Dear Mother & Dad,
I was very pleased indeed to receive a letter today from the Red Cross at Geneoa[sic] informing me that my name had been forwarded to the Prisoners of War Information Bureau in London, & that they would inform you of my address; also that a letter I wrote on September 1st. to you via the Swiss Red Cross had been sent on to you. I have written two subsequent letters to you and I do hope they will have, or will reach you.
I do hope that you are both keeping well and safe. I am quite O.K. I assure you most definitely. I have a temporary sore foot, the result of our enthusiasm at football on Monday, but it is fast improving.
In spite of the warm weather I have a very good apetite,[sic] and I am convinced I shall not refuse anything when I get home. I smoke
[page break]
cigarettes which in England I could never have managed. They are terrifically strong & remarkably cheap ie. About 1½d for 20 in English money. Everything here is worked in Francs.
The weather recently has been hot & cloudless, hotter than our hottest summer days, but yesterday what a thunderstorm we had & what torrential rain. To-day has been considerably cooler.
The length of daylight does not vary much. It is light from about 5.30 am until 7 p.m, I believe all the year round.
Patience is the only thing now. We get the news from the local French paper, so have some idea how you are going on. It is annoying[?] how domesticated we are becoming. I never dreamed I should discuss the possibilities of an egg and flour in baking. I can do amazing things on our improvised spirit stoves & have developed quite a liking for spaghetti & macaroni. In short I am really thriving on my new menu. Tomatoes are plentiful (about 1d a lb).
I must say good-bye now. I send all my love and do hope you will keep well & safe. I am splendid so don’t worry about me. I am always thinking about you.
Love Douglas