Z549/17/119

Letter sent from camp hospital possibly in Brocton Camp, Staffordshire by Cyril Verdcourt to Mama [Helena Verdcourt]. Written in pencil.

Tuesday 24 March 1919

From: 1919 To: 1919

Dear Mama, I am ‘laying up’ and rusting in a camp hospital and am thoroughly fed up with it. There is no need to worry, for my ankle was nearly well when they sent me here on Sunday and I expect to be out in a day or two. The supply of literature is small here and there isn’t much to do save lie and think – and another twelve months or so of this rotten existence does not form very palatable food for thought. There are large numbers of German prisoners here, and I heard a rotten yarn which is unfortunately true, I think. One of them disobeyed a simple order and upon the third command, his guard shot him – and they brought his death in as ‘flu. I was working with some at Rugeley and they were decent fellows enough. One of my chums left a valuable jack-knife lying on the bench and one of the ‘Jerrys’ took care of it for him handing it back at the first opportunity. They were not treated badly, but only had two meals a day, one first thing in the morning the other at night. You must not be surprised or angry if I ‘wear’ a pipe next time you see me, I may, but shall go very steadily and stick to a pipe. Please give my love to all Your lovingly Cyril My letters will reach alright at the same address. Pencil sketch of full length front view of man in uniform holding spade, ‘Jerry’.

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Verdcourt, Cyril,
Verdcourt, Helena Annie

army, Brocton Camp, prisoners of war