Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Writes of the letters received so far with one possibly missing. Just jogging along hoping for the end of dreadful war. Tells of visit by a Mrs Clayton followed by another acquaintance. Catches up with local news and gossip. Hopes he will soon get her first letter and discusses problems of how long mail takes. Concludes with other gossip and news of other letters received.

1041-01-01

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD410101

[inserted] 17 [/inserted]
[inserted] 5-3-41 [/inserted]
10 Moorside Rd.
Kensal
Salford 7
England.
New Year’s Day 1941.
My dear Douglas.
Two weeks ago today we received your letter dated Oct. 10th. & now I am looking eagerly forward to my next letter. It looks as tho’ one of your letters has not got through to me, as I have only had four to date, & I think you have sent five. This has been a bright frosty winter’s day & I am wondering if you are still enjoying nice warm weather. Well, love, I never seem to have much of interest to tell you – just that we keep jogging along, always hoping, praying, & longing for the end of the dreadful war. Mrs Clayton arrived yesterday at 1 p.m. Can’t imagine why ever she came at that silly time unless it was to attempt to satisfy her almost insatiable curiosity. She left at 2-30, & as soon as she had gone Mrs Kay came in & we had a good old chatter. She is very good company – tho’ we do not always see eye to eye by any means - & I always love to have a talk to her. I met Mrs Brown from Moor Lane, today & asked about her husband who is now a barrage balloon man & not liking being away from home. Mr Ferher has taken a course of training in engineering & is now engaged in a reserved occupation whilst Mrs
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Ferher carries on the business. Which just shows doesn’t it? The tenant of No 12 is a very busy person & I’ve not been able to speak to her for ages. At present she has a very bad cough which somewhat disturbs our slumbers. But we do feel very sorry to hear her hacking away. Her chow has made another way through into our garden & as it is developing a very uncertain temper we are not too pleased about it. No doubt something will have to be done. Very soon now I hope you will get my first letter to you in El Kef written the day we had your first letter on Nov. 6th. We have been so troubled that we were not able to get in touch with you sooner & was very relieved to learn from your last letter that you quite understood what a long time it would take for an exchange of letters. Almost 6 months isn’t it? And we just keep on thinking about you always. I am always very thankful for such lovely memories. Did I tell you I had such a nice letter from Mrs Baggaley at Christmas. It was a very happy surprise & gave me a lot of pleasure. This morning a very kind letter from E.W.F. You probably realize if you are able to listen in to English news that he has had a very busy time lately & we are thankful to know that he is all right. All our love & best wishes for 1941 from Mother & Dad.
755052 J. D. Hudson.
Camp de Sejour Surfeille
S/courert Commandant D’armes
El Kef
Tunisie
Nord Afrique.