Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Seven weeks since last letters but blessing that they have been able to exchange cables. Writes of armistice day thoughts, how much they miss him and know how weary he must be of the inactivity of life in internment. Mentions father's activities and that just heard announcement that all Christmas mail for abroad be posted by the next day. Writes of sending calendars to him. and problems with mail. Mentions Christmas and retaining clocks summer time all year.

1941-11-11

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD411111

[inserted] 84 [/inserted]
[inserted] 23-12-41 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.
England.
Tuesday 11th Nov./41
My dear Douglas.
As day after day passes & no letters arrive from you I begin to feel very anxious indeed. It is seven weeks last Saturday since we had our last letter from you. It is a very great blessing that we are able to exchange cables & I am eagerly awaiting a reply to the one I sent to you on Saturday.
Well love as you see by the date this is Armistice Day & all day long you, & the many dear boys whom we have known & loved have been in my thoughts so much. I know you will have been thinking of us, too, & no doubt we have been wondering the same thing – what will be happening next Armistice Day. We can only keep on hoping & praying for peace & joyous reunion. I daren’t attempt to tell you how much I miss you – the ache is very big & deep – but all the time my heart is full of thankfulness that you are still alive & unhurt. I know just how weary you must often become of the inactivity & monotony of your life of internment, but it is joy unending to me to think of you safe & well. Tonight I feel very quiet & lonely as Dad is again on duty at
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the works. He goes out earlier now, 7-20 bus, & as I’ve told you many times I just dread the nights coming round. I’ve just heard the announcement on the wireless that all letters for abroad must be posted by tomorrow, the 12th if it is intended that they arrive for Christmas. I have previously sent you a calendar by ordinary mail & a book mark calendar by Air Mail & do hope you will receive them safely. They had no Air Mail labels at Nelson post-office when I enquired last Saturday & I was told to just write “Air Mail” on the envelope. It certainly doesn’t look so official but I hope it will fulfil it’s purpose all right. Well love the days just pass away – just the daily round of common tasks - & it is now only six weeks to Christmas & to the turn of the year. I look forward so much to the lengthening days. You know that we have retained summer time all the year again & I like it. The afternoon light is most welcome, although it is now dark at 8 am & you will remember I don’t like groping. Now it is 10 p.m. so I will say Goodnight to you love & leave my letter open until morning & the post-man’s visit. And now Wednesday a.m. & still no letter. So Goodbye love once again. Christmas Day will be near when you get this letter, & all our love & thoughts will be with you. Happy Christmas from Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat Algerie
Afrique du Nord.