Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Glad to receive cable from him which arrived day it was sent. Was becoming anxious as no letter from him for ten weeks although they understand disturbed conditions affecting mail. Thanks him for offering them radiogram as Christmas present and discusses problems with their current radio. Describes relay service that they now pay one shilling a week for. Mentions getting gifts from grandfather and lists Christmas cards she has to send.

1941-12-01

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD411201

[inserted] 91 [/inserted]
[inserted] 14-1-42 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs
England.
Monday. Dec. 1st/41
My dear Douglas.
It was a very great joy to us to have your cable on Saturday evening. It has made a marvellous journey, sent from Laghouat 10-30 Nov 29th & arrived here same day at 6-50 p.m. It meant a very happy weekend for us, as we were becoming increasingly anxious at the lack of news. We have not had a letter from you for ten weeks last Saturday but of course we do understand that owing to disturbed conditions the mails will be disorganized & we are thankful indeed for the few reassuring words from the precious cables. We were both very deeply moved by your message on Saturday. Thank you so much, love, for offering us a radiogram as Christmas gift. We should not think of buying one when you are not able to share the pleasure with us, but one day perhaps we can choose one together. This old one only needs a very little attention, you remember how it used to make a terrific noise, something wrong with the transformer wasn’t it, well it does the same now. Sometimes it is really good & then when it is nicely
[page break]
warmed up the noise begins & we have to switch off. I’ve told you in previous letters that we now enjoy the [deleted] reply [/deleted] [inserted] relay [/inserted] service for a charge of 1/- week. We have a speaker which we can take from one room to the other & spend a lot of time listening in. Dad seems better again now & yesterday he did a bit of deep digging in the garden in preparation for the apple tree which we expect to receive anytime now.
I had a nice surprise this morning a cheque for £2/2/- from Grandad. You remember the fur coat he gave me some years ago. Well I’ve had it altered for this winter & the cheque was to pay for it. Doing well aren’t I especially after the gift of £2 to buy a handbag when Grandad was here in September. Well love I’ve got about 40 Christmas cards to send to our various friends including Hildred & Vera but I suggested to Dad this morning that they might both be away now. Dad thought Hildred would be all right in her reserved occupation but was doubtful about Vera. Well love I will away to the post now. I wonder if you might get this before Xmas. Here’s hoping & thank you so much love for all your kind thoughts for us & for your wishes. You know how lovingly we reciprocate both. With all our love & thoughts & prayers & Happy Christmas from Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat
Algerie Afrique du Nord.