Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Writes that it is now quiet after hectic activities at new year. Mentions pantomime put on during new year's eve and antics on hitting the wine store afterwards and retiring at 2.30. Then catches up with mail received. Writes of cold weather and having to use their small supply of wood only for cooking and making tea. He ask them to let him know the state of his bank account and raises other issues on pay and allotments. Hopes they are all well.

1942-01-02

Two page handwritten letter

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Royal Air Force. 755052. Sgt. J. D. Hudson.
c/o Consul Général des Etats Unis.
Rue Michelet.
Alger. Algérie. Afrique du Nord
2-1-42
My Dear Mother & Dad,
At the time of writing this letter to you I think I can say we are experiencing the calm after the storm. In other words quietness reigns after the hectic arrival of the New Year. On New Year’s Eve some of our boys presented a Pantomime which they called Thumbs Up, and when all the limitations have been considered I can say the show was very cleverly produced. The chorus girls looked very attractive, and strangely they were all boxers, whilst the male chorus didn’t include a single pugilist. This show started the evening and afterwards the wine supply was attacked. Jimmy & I turned in to bed at 2.30 am which was quite early compared to certain other people’s times of retirement. As the lights go out before ten everything had to be conducted in the dark which probably explains why both Tony & Myself intercepted a bottle each on the forehead. From where they came neither of us know, but the effect was negligible and neither of us suffered. I suppose on these occasions, which are extremely rare, people in our position have a little more steam to let off than is normal so the whole thing is fairly understandable. Well now that the New Year is here let us hope that it will [inserted] have [/inserted] better things in store for us all than last, and most sincerely let us hope that our days of separation will soon be numbered. Jimmy and I, who, when we are together and undisturbed remain perfectly rational, drank a toast to all those at home near and dear to us, as soon as the New Year was ushered in. My last letter to you was written a few days ago and I acknowledged then receipt of your letters dated October 2nd, Nov. 23rd. 25th & 27th, and one from Mrs. Clayton dated Nov. 23rd. I was glad to receive them all, and wonder
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if you will express my thanks to Mrs Clayton & explain that I have only received two letters from John, & that I wrote to him last a four page letter about end of July. I will write again now. the weather has become bitterly cold. The sun has not appeared for two days which is unusual, and there is a wicked North East wind blowing. Frost shows its signs in the morning but it never rains, or snows. Just at present I doubt if it is any colder with you. The extremes in temperature here are amazing. We have to conserve our small supply of wood for essential purposes such as cooking & making tea, of course. Believe me it only requires a very small excuse this weather to put the pan on & do we say thank you, that we are able to do this. We have only one pan between the three of us & this has to perform many different roles. I wonder if when next you write to me after receipt of this letter you would give me an idea as to my bank account? I know what it was when I left England so if you tell me what has been added I shall know the position. Could you tell me what I pay in Income Tax? Do you know if A.M. are crediting me with my full flying pay? I am entirely ignorant on these matters, but I trust you still receive satisfactorily my increased allotment as from January last year. Re. the radiogram I wanted you to buy for Christmas. I do hope you will continue your endeavours and accept one as a gift from me as soon as you can. In the meantime I hope the relay will fill the gap of the old H.M.V. Today is Grandad’s birthday, so when you get this letter will you tell him I wished him at the appropriate time? At the bottom of the page I leave you once again until next letter writing day. As always you are in my thoughts and I send you all my love & best wishes.
Douglas.