Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Writes about latest mail received. Long correspondence on content of cables he has sent and received which reiterate his requirements for underwear, soap, toothbrush and footwear. Notes that parcels are now arriving regularly for others and mentions that civilian garments are forbidden in parcels. Says his cigarette parcel has not arrived. Mentions arrival of Red Cross food parcels and describes initiative of internees to overcome lack of full to make tea. Talks of gusts of wind and high temperatures and daily activity. Notes on third of camp sleep outdoors get up at 5.30 when water is still warm from day before but then cut off eighteen hours a day. Mentions visit from YMCA representative and gave him list of books/games required.

1942-06-27

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE420627

Royal Air Force. 755052. Sgt. J.D.Hudson.
c/o Consul Général des Etats Unis.
Rue Michelet.
Alger. Algérie.
Afrique du Nord.
27-6-42

My Dear Mother & Dad,

It is 17 days since your last letter (No.43) arrived, but on the 23rd June I was glad to receive your cable dated the 20th but sorry to hear that my reply to your telegram of June 6th had not arrived. I was late (unavoidably so) in replying to this and it was not until June 13th that I was able to secure a form. Nowadays thre [sic] also appears to be a hold up of some days at this end as well, so I am hoping that since my cable will have reached you. Your cable received on June 23rd read as follows:- "Eagerly await news no response cable June 6th latest letter dated March 11th did parcel arrive all love" To this I wired immediately the same day:- "Delighted cable twentieth replied to your last cable on July [sic] thirteenth please send light underwear, soap, toothbrush footwear size 7 (seven) via Red Cross ask relatives cooperation other parcels not yet received writing always well all love thoughts wishes" I sent this E.L.T, [?] night rate, and I hope the message arrived clearly. These are the things I need chiefly and I suggest you ask our relations to help. I think it should be possible to get special P. of W. coupons for these items of underclothing. I should be greatly obliged if you could send these things out. Parcels are arriving regularly now, Jimmy [?] received two in the past 6 weeks and Tony has had one. They take about 3 months to arrive and thre [sic] does not appear to be

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any restriction on the frequency they are sent. Apparently civilian outer-garments are now forbidden, such things as coats and trousers, and if they are sent we shall not be allowed to wear them. No my cigarettes have not yet arrived although many are being received. They are due now. A batch of red [sic] Cross food arrived a few days ago from the Canadian Section including:- tea, sugar, milk, corned beef, butter, salmon, cheese, etc, and I believe another consignment arrived yesterday. I hope this is true. We have no fuel to make the tea and burn cardboard, paper or bits of shrubs collected on the walk. Initiative is amazing. Several people have built small fireplaces outside of mud bricks made of sand & water. The water and sand mixes and sets amazingly hard and these people have constructed small chimneys to create a draught. Talking about draught, just now our windows blew open and papers went flying as quantities of sand came into the room. This often happens went [sic] these gusts start for no apparent reason. They are filthy while they last. I dont [sic] think it will get much hotter now. The longest day is past and the sun should gradually get lower. The earth of course is very hot [deleted] now [/deleted] and walking outside barefoot about now 3 pm. is almost impossible. The colonnades of these buildings retain their heat long after sunset but the mornings are cool. About one third the camp sleeps outside. We get up at 5.30 and the water is warm from the day before. It is cut off 18 hours per day. We had a visit yesterday of a Y.M.C.A. representative and gave him a list of books and games required. I shall soon have my salmon & butter - dont [sic] you wish you were here? I'll bet not. Until the day when we see the green grass together again, all my love, thoughts & best wishes. Douglas.