Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Writes of how wonderful it is to be able to exchange cables. List latest letters to arrive. Catches up with news of acquaintances. Writes of their activities and the weather. Reminisces on past shared events and glad they are able to keep in touch.

1941-08-06

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD410806

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[postage stamp]
[Air Mail stamp]
755052 Sgt. J.D. Hudson
[deleted] C/o Consul des Etats Unis
Rue Michelet
Algiers [/deleted]
Afrique du Nord.
[inserted] Camp des Internes Britanniques
@
[underlined] Aumale [/underlined]
EXAMINER 713
CONTROLE [/inserted]
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Mrs Hudson
191Halifax Road
Nelson
Lancs.
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3065 -3525
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs
England.
Wed. Aug. 6th 1941
My dear Douglas,
I suppose you feel as we do when a cable arrives – how wonderful that we can send a message to each other in one day. I do feel to have something very special to look forward to when I have sent a prepaid cable. Your reply arrived at 12-30 Tues. morning so that was good wasn’t it & such a joy & relief to know that you are all right. We seem to have been a very long time without letters from you. There is still the big gap from May 11th to June 15th (via Tangier) then to July 10th. That letter made a record journey, as we got it on Saturday afternoon Aug 2nd a few hours after I had sent your cable. It was good of Mr Jakman to send you a message. I don’t think things have been too good for him in business & feel very sorry that he should be so harassed. Strange how some people have smooth lives & some rough.
The people around us here certainly don’t know [deleted] which [/deleted] much of the strain of war. Mrs Chester has two sons, one at Haifa a post office official, the other in the Civil service in the I.O.U. Our neighbours at the other side lived retired but
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the gentleman got bored so is keeping a traveller’s round together – for the duration. His only son is a gas engineer (reserved occupation) the daughter’s husband an architect, also reserved. Next door to them the son is a teacher, reserved. Mrs Fletcher’s two sons are in the civil service. Except they cannot just go buy a lb of butter when they want it or a choice cut of lamb they do not suffer any inconvenience, so far.
Dad has just been mowing the lawns, which are very similar to those at Kensal. He has done it all in half an hour & it looks beautiful & has been much admired. Monday & yesterday (Tues) were really wet days. Today has been fine & bright but very cold & we are thankful for a fire tonight. Always I am thinking of you these days August are full of memories – some very happy & others very very sad. – Two years on Saturday since we set out on our marvellous holiday together. In the light of succeeding events the experience was priceless & has brought much comfort to me. Now love it is nearly dark so I will say Goodnight to you. How I do wish I could share my cup of tea with you but no reprising now. Rather a great thankfulness that we are able to keep in touch with each other & tho’ I know you must sometimes grow very weary of your internment I try to look always to the future & the day of joyous reunion.
All love from
Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Aumale
Afrique du Nord.