Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Catches up with mail sent and received. Mentions he is sunburned and comments on local weather. Writes that it is grape season and they are five francs a kilo. Mentions his weight, food and exercise opportunities. Goes on to comment on conditions and facilities in camp. Mentions cost of cigarettes and that the day of liberation would come sometime.

1941-01-24

wo page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE410124

[inserted] Write by air mail (it only takes 3 weeks) say one letter each week & the others by ordinary mail. [/inserted]

755052. Sgt.Chef. J. D. Hudson.
Camp de Séjour Surveillé.
LE KEF. TUNISIE.
AFRIQUE DU NORD.

24-1-41

My Dear Mother & Dad,

Since I wrote to you last week by postcard I have not received any news from you, although I believe there is some mail for me in the “Bureau” here, waiting a final censoring. Since I came here I have written to you regularly, ie 2 letters each month and 2 or 3 post cards, although it is probable all these will not have reached you, although I hope that most of them will. I hope you are both keeping safe & well, as I am. To-day has been the hottest since last Nov. I have got terrifically sun burned & hesitate to think what June will be like if today is wintry. The weather does change a lot. It snowed only 2 weeks ago. The evenings are cold, but during the day it is generally fairly warm. Oranges are in season & cost about 1d each. We get a kilo for 5 francs. The world is green now in the cultivated spots but as it has not rained this year the ground is hard & dry. I was weighed the

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other day & when the kilos are converted I am 10 stones 6 lbs. I attribute the increase to the food being cooked in oil & leading a comparatively sedentary existance [sic], although I take advantage of every opportunity to get out. We generally manage a 5 mile walk each morning accompanied of course by a “chaperone” & this to me is the best part of the day. Any-way nobody can take the sun away. Did I tell you that we have quite a good supply of English books here, loaned from sympathisers in Tunis. The Padre also visits us once a month. I have acquired some good pullovers here & hope I can bring them home, also a good windbreaker, excellent for motor-cycling. Cigarettes are the best bargain here 3 francs 10 centimes for 20. equals about 4 1/2 d English money & these are good ones & strong. I shall dislike English cigarettes after these, but that is about all. The day of liberation will come sometime, also the day of reunion. What a time to look forward to. And so for the present good bye. Hope Mother had a good birthday. I thought all about her. All my love, Douglas.