Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Writes about mail received and that airmail was best method. Continues with commiseration about situation with his dad, Hopes she will get allotment from his pay which he has tried to increase three times. He suggest she contact the air ministry to explain the situation. Continues to discuss family issues, activities and her recent move. Writes quite a lot on poor weather and a little of his situation. Concludes with general gossip and a little news.

1941-03-21

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE410321

[underlined] BRITISH PRISONER of WAR [/underlined]
SGT. CHEF J.D. HUDSON
CAMP DE SEJOUR SURVEILLE
LE KEF
TUNISIE
AFRIQUE DU NORD
21-3-41
[inserted] Sorry I must write in pencil Regulations. [/inserted]
My Dear Mother & Dad,
Since I wrote my post card to you last week I have received a letter from you by Air Mail dated Feb. 20th and one by ordinary mail dated January 31st. The Air Mail letter came first. The man who said it was necessary for letters to go via Australia was badly informed – Air Mail is the thing for quickness, if not too expensive. I was very sorry indeed to hear about Dad, although I had a feeling that something was wrong because you did not mention him in any of your letters. I realise what a terrible time you will have been through under all the circumstances & my heart really does go out to you both. I [underlined] do [/underlined] wish I could help. You should definitely get my allotment. I also tried to increase it to nearly three times the amount. I suggest you write to Air Ministry & tell them the position, explain I don’t get my pay either – what I do receive is equal to about 2/- (two shillings) per week. Ask them what is happening to my credits. What I do now most sincerely hope is that Dad will be more successful where he is at present & wish you both all the luck in the world. I hope you will find the new place not too bad, there is good country on the outskirts I know. I send my congratulations to Mollie & Kenneth. Better late than never. The baby I mean. I note that you have received up to Feb. 20th seven letters from me, the last one written on November 29th. Have you received any post cards? I have sent my last 4 or 5 letters by air mail & do hope they
[page break]
will have got through quicker. I received this week a letter for E.W.7. he has sent me a number of letters now & keeps asking for news, so I am sending a p.c. to him today. It will be the first I have sent to anybody else other than yourselves, & I am sure you will not mind. You did the right thing to sell my motor bike. I don’t know what the values are these days, but I do remember about 15 months ago John offered £15 to buy it for a friend, so you have secured an improvement. We have had a fortnight of cold weather, colder than I anticipated – no sunbathing, although I believe the hot starts anytime now & will go on until about mid November. I believe Tunis town had the first snow this winter for 40 years. The winter here would be splendid under normal conditions. Certainly no chilblains. All the barracks here are of stone, painted white to deflect the heat of the suns rays. Accordingly the evenings in winter indoors get pretty chilly. One of the chaps here lives in Colne & knows Scotland Road well – he says it is in the centre of Nelson – is that so? Somehow I cannot imagine you being in the centre of a town. Don’t blame Dad for not leaving the pipe. I gave my Christmas pipe up although I smoke a lot of cigarettes – very strong ones. We can buy 10 packets of twenty for 1 1/2d each packet, per month – ration – the rest cost about 4d for 20. I smoke about 20 cigarettes per day, whether my mind suffers I don’t know, I don’t get much chance to test it properly. Did I tell you we have a running machine here? Am afraid I can’t give you much news. I once again send you my very best wishes & hope most sincerely that the future will have better things in store for you both. Come what may I am all right here- though out of my element – at least I’m safe. Worse luck when I think of you at home. Again I send you all my love, I am always thinking about you. Douglas.