South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 12 December 1942
Back From Tunisia
Able Seaman Ernest Dixon Tough, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Tough, of 15, Briton Square, Thurnscoe East, arrived home on Saturday, after a remarkable experience.
Ernest, who is 20 has only been in the Navy some 15 months and during that time he has twice lost his ship due to enemy action. The second time when his ship went down he to swim for 21 hours in the water, being picked up by the only lifeboat saved from the ship. The whole of the boat’s company were subsequently interned in Tunisia. The remainder who escaped on rafts, were picked up by the enemy.
This was in August of this year. Interned at Le Kaf, they later went to Sfax. Able Seaman Tough says they had a very rough time; food was scarce and very poor and clothing was conspicuous by its absence; in fact, he says if it had not been for the parcels of food and clothing received from the Canadian and British Red Cross they could not have lived. On one occasion, he says, they exchanged a shirt for four pullets which they shared.
In September the party lost one of its number through lack of medical supplies. Interned also was a Maltese millionaire, who was very good to them. He supplied them with musical instruments, etc., and they had camp concerts with their own concert party, the ” Tunisian Twirks.”
The invasion of North Africa by the Allies gave them a break and they broke camp on November 12th. Leaving Sfax they arrived at Camp de Phillipe on November 14th, where they were recaptured and had a forced march back. The party again broke camp on November 21st and met the British troops and then enjoyed their first meal for a week. Arriving at Algiers on November 24th they boarded ship for England.
Throughout the narrative of his experiences Able Seaman Tough was emphatic in his praise of the good work done for them by the Red Cross and says they have only them to thank for being able to pull through their ordeal. He is now enjoying 14 days’ leave and hopes are entertained at his home for a family re-union on December 14th, when his sister, serving in the A.T.S., will be home on leave.