Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Writes that he is fed up of having to work seven days a week and no time off for 8 weeks. Mentions having vaccinations and his current activities. Says he has found a reasonable place for meals in the evening but that they had had instructions not to touch alcohol. Mentions letter from friend who was training on Wellingtons nearby. Mentions Anson and Blenheim and writes of what is happening in the future, Postscript that he is expecting a cheque from grandfather and he is sending enlargements.

1940-05-11

Four page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE400511

Sgt. J. D. Hudson
R.A.F. Biuster[?]
11-5-40.

Dear Mother & Dad,

I am writing this letter on Saturday evening but I shall probably not post it until tomorrow.

Since writing to you last in semi optimistic strain regarding leave we have had it all temporarily cancelled. All Saturday’s have been cancelled, & 48 hours leave, so we are now working 7 days a week. Needless to say we are thoroughly fed up with it all. For the last 8 weeks the time we have had off has been negligible. We hope that it will duly[?] be a few days before the leave cancellation is off, & then we shall make application again. Our other fellows who went to another aerodrome are not getting any leave at all. Every time there is a fresh international[?] development the authorities –

I had my vaccination & 2 inoculations last night. Some of the chaps nearly passed out but

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Strangely enough it did not affect me at all. I thought it would. However, my left arm feels as though it has been in a bus crash when I wave[?] it violently. I expect it will soon work off.

It is 6 pm now [deleted] one indecipherable word [/deleted] I am on duty shortly until 7 pm. Doing practice navigation & afterwards, if I have time, shall collect the p.c.[?] enlargements of the maps I sent you. Failing that they will have to wait until Monday.

We have found a remarkably[?] good place for meals in the evening. Rather on the lines of the Tea Shop at Skipton but smaller. The cooking is really excellent, & the place is practically monopolised by Sergeants. We have received strict instructions not to touch alcoholic drinks for some days on account of our inoculations. The food here in the mess [inserted] is [/inserted] a wonderful improvement on the stuff we have been getting. Tea without sugar is a godsend to me.

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I had a short letter from Bob yesterday to say he was in Sergeants quarters at a nearby aerodrome training in Wellingtons. I [indecipherable word] the bombers not the boots. I don’t think I mentioned it before, but we shall do our us[?] air[?[ staff live in Ansons & Long Nose Blenheims. Did I tell you we go [indecipherable word] the 1.6.W[?] & down to Ilfracombe, when the time arrives. It will probably be some days, maybe weeks, before we start flying. Actually, that might help us to get leave in once the cancellation is withdrawn, but we cannot tell. It is absolutely hopeless trying to plan anything at all.

I am rather pleased to learn of the change of government, I believe I am not the only one here who is. We have been told preferably not to read newspapers – seriously – and on good authority, on the grounds that they are misleading & never accurate.

If at any time I send some socks home for mending will it be all right. It will

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depend if I get any chance to mend them.

Well I will say cheerio now. Hoping you are both keeping well & wishing you the best of luck. I am sorry I cannot manage to get home at present but you will understand it is not my fault.
I think I will say [deleted one or two letters] the same to you as has been said to me about the newspapers. They are all right for puzzle-[indecipherable word]
Love Douglas.
P.S. I am expecting a cheque from Grandad in about 10 days time.
The enlargements are very poor indeed but I am sending them along. It is now Sunday lunch time & as the post goes at 5.30 pm I shall post this letter straight away. My arm has practically lost its stiffness now. It doesn’t look as though we shall do any flying for 3 weeks or so, this should help the chances of leave, and the ban is lifted.