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In a letter dated June 8/42 to his Father, Sgt. Stephenson explains that he is now in Stalag Luft lll. He goes on to explain that his Red Cross and personal parcels are arrivng at the new camp fairly regularly.
Another letter dated Aug 15/42
Take note of my new address Stalag Luft lll the new air force prisoner of war camp just erected and it's sure a darn sight better than my last camp which was an army one. There are over a hundred Canadians here so I am not entirely alone. I have met Marshall Johnson from St.Thomas and numerous old buddies. Wing-commander Bader, the ace, is here also........
Letter Aug 23/42
This new camp is not so bad. We get up at eight, have roll call, dinner at twelve and roll call at seven thirty again with sports in between or sleeping or reading, lights out at eleven. Well I hope to spend next summer at home, if not one of these days soon I hope. I was never very patient.......
The tone and content of the letters home are very different from the diary. Sgt Stephenson was well aware of what he could get by the Germans and what he couldn't. There is also the fact that he didn't want to worry those at home about the conditions he was living under.
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