Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Hopes telegram with fathers birthday greeting arrived. Two years ago that he sent first letter and had no idea then what mail facilities would be available. Catches up on mail and cables received. Ask them to thank others who have sent mail. Cannot write himself as French have now limited them to two letters a week. Catches up with gossip and mentions what indifferent fruit is available. Comments on diet being non English and putting on weight as well as lack of exercise because of heat. Mentions lack of footwear and weather. Thanks them for parcel and concludes with gossip.

1942-09-03

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE420903

Royal Air Force. 755052. Sgt. J. D. Hudson
c/o Consul General des Etats Unis.
Rue Michelet.
Alger. Algerie.
Afrique du Nord.

3-9-42.

My Dear Mother & Dad,

The day is drawing near to Dad’s birthday and I hope the telegrams I despatched will arrive by Sept. 5th. The one I sent on August 27th was one of good wishes and the second sent on September first was in reply to your cable dated August 29th which reached me on the 31st. It was about this time two years ago that I sent you my first letter, and in those days I had no idea what the mail facilities were, or what were the chances of letters getting home. It has proved since that the mail and telegrams service has not been too bad and the fact that I have received sixty-six of the sixty-seven letters you have written this year speaks for itself. On Sept. 1st I was pleased to receive three letters – yours No. 67. and one from Mrs. Clayton dated Aug. 27th in reply to my letter of condolences, & one from Dorothy dated Aug. 6th. I also received one from Mary on Aug. 22nd dated July 10th. Perhaps you would thank all these kind people on my behalf when you next get in touch with them. The chances of my writing individually are small, because the French have just issued a new order limiting the number of letters per man to two per week. As in the past it has been my continual practice to write approximately twice weekly to you my ration will go entirely to you in the future. This may be only a temporary measure our[?] [people are going to fight to try and get it altered

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but you must realise there are limitations to what can be done in our unenviable position. We won’t dwell on it because it really won’t effect[sic] my writing to [underlined] you [/underlined]. Your last letter told of gathering raspberries and obtaining green peas I have not seen any of the former since I left England, and some of the latter since I left [indecipherable word]. We get melons, marrows & very indifferent peaches & grapes just now. I shall never look a grape, date or melon in the face when I leave here. It is impossible to imagine a diet more contrary to the English. I am simply running to “flab”: it sounds impossible for me to put on fat but I am to an extent which is beginning to worry me. For four months it has been too hot to do exercise and in any case I am very badly off for footwear. The weather is cooling off considerably now; two nights ago we had a terrific short storm which cleared things up. I do appreciate your efforts in sending clothing parcels. Soap & footwear are the most essential requirements. Do not worry about dainty shoes. Durability is what counts these days. I have not looked smart[?] since I arrived here and don’t intend to until I reach home again. Do you remember how particular I used to be about my suits, how I liked everything to be neat and in perfect order? Nowadays a pair of shorts or a shirt that fit Alexander ([indecipherable word]) size[?] 6ft 2½”, fit me, & vice-versa. Life – we have certainly learned the art of “living”. This is since school and the lessons are real. One day we shall return to the white sheets and tablecloths, the willow pattern & the smell of green country & autumn mists. Until that day my thoughts are with you all the time. All my love & wishes; keep smiling & of good cheer. Douglas.