Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Has not written for three weeks as busy sorting out three houses before moving in to new one. Notes arrival of his cable on 22 May and wonders what would happen to all her letters sent to previous camp at Le Kef. Mentions that he has reported only a few of their letters had arrived. Discusses using cables and questions who paid for ones he sent. Offers to pre-pay for his replies to their cables. Concludes with gossip.

1941-05-24

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD410524

[front of envelope]

CONTROLÉ

Prisoners of War Post

[stamp] BY AIR MAIL PAR AVION

[postmark] BURNLEY and NELSON LANCS 6.45PM 24 MAY 1941

[postmark]

[postage stamp]

755052 Sgt. J. D. Hudson

Hotel D’Orient

[deleted] Medea [/deleted] [inserted] one indecipherable word [/inserted]

Algerie

[page break]

[rear of envelope]

From

Mrs Hudson

191 Halifax Road

Nelson

Lancs

England

[postmark]

15-6-41

P.C.90

OPENED BY

CONTROLE

[page break]

191 Halifax Road

Nelson. Lancs.

England.

May 24th 1941.

My dear Douglas

It is many days since I wrote to you. There has been very much to do with having three houses to settle about & I’ve had a lot of travelling to & fro. not to mention the actual removing & no Mrs Lord to help. Still we are beginning to feel more like home here, with a few carpets down & the garden, which is really pleasant, tidied up a lot. Well, love, I seem to be with you all the day through, wondering, always wondering about you. Your cable arrived Thursday morning May 22nd & brought much relief & joy. I wonder what will happen to the many letters sent to the address at Le Kef. I had been sending 3 letters a week by Air Mail & now I’m wondering how much (or how little) news you have received. From the dates, given in the last letter, of letters received it looks as tho’ only about a 4th part of the letters are reaching

[page break]

you. Of course they were only newsy letters with no really [one indecipherable word] news. We shall always try to reach you by [deleted] I [/deleted] cable for any really important messages. We were wondering who paid for the two cables from Medea. Are you allowed to send them or are they sent & paid for by the authorities & would it help you in any way if I send my messages with a pre paid reply? It was funny about your birthday cable, sent from Burnley. I wrote the full address Medea Algerie but the girl crossed off Algerie & the charge for the cable was 9/9. Yesterday morning when he brought the letters the post-man knocked at the door to collect 3d which was due for the inclusion of the word Algerie. I intend to send you another cable next week - just to keep in touch until you begin to receive letters again.

Auntie Maud Calvert spent the day here on Thursday. Of course it rained, but we had a grand time. Auntie bought me lovely tulips & anemones. Dad & I went to Colne to see her off by bus. Did you get my letter telling about your B.S.A.? Now I must away to do my shopping a new experience & we are a long way from shops. 2d bus from town - very high on the hill. Pleasant situation. All our love. Mother & Dad.

755052 Sgt. J.D. Hudson.

Hotel D’Orient

Medea

Algerie