Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Still waiting for letter from him, none for eleven weeks. Hopes for peace and reunion with him. Two weeks until Christmas and he would be in their thoughts. Mentions reading in newspaper that residents of Algiers were supplying warm clothing until Red Cross parcels arrived. Informed him that there was a picture and notification that he was a prisoner of war in a [indecipherable] publication. Writes that they have been invited to relatives for Christmas but not sure if they will go. Concludes with news and gossip.

1941-12-10

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD411210

[inserted] 94 [/inserted]
[inserted] 7-1-42 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Rd.
Nelson Lancs.
England.
Wed. Dec. 10th/41
My dear Douglas.
The days & weeks are passing away & all the time I am eagerly awaiting letters from you. It was eleven weeks last Saturday since the last one dated Aug. 28th arrived. It had made a very quick journey & I was so delighted to have my news so quickly. Since then I have looked in vain for my precious letters & always I keep on hoping. We are all greatly distressed about all the strife which seems to be spreading everywhere but somebody broadcast the other day that even wars cannot go on for ever & we keep on hoping & praying for peace & reunion again. In my last letter I quoted a little message which had been broadcast in the early morning service. “God has given us memories that we may have roses in December”. My roses are still in fullest bloom – very lovely & very precious!! Thank you always, love! Two weeks tomorrow will be Christmas Day & you will be constantly in our thoughts. I do hope you are warmly clothed & fed. I told you in a previous letter that we had
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read in the Sunday Chronicle how the residents of Algerie (Algiers) were supplying warm winter clothing until parcels arrived from the Red Cross. I do hope that news was true. We read so much contradiction these days & we do indeed grope for the truth. Ulula for December arrived on Monday & you have a little portion to yourself whereby Old Mancunians may learn that “J. Douglas Hudson (1932) [inserted] Sergeant-Observer R.A.F.V.R. [/inserted] formerly reported missing is now reported prisoner of war in Algeria.” In the same issue is your registered change of address & again your name appears in Service roll No 6. Well love I’ve told you in a previous letter that we are invited to Uncle Walter’s for Christmas. We are not sure to get off as they have not decided what holiday they are to have [inserted] at Dad’s work [/inserted] but we are not worrying. We shall just make the best of what ever comes & be thankful for many blessings. Our neighbour Mr Chester came to sit with Dad again last night & we [underlined] were [/underlined] surprised when he told us how much he & his wife dislike Christmas. They will not send any greetings & don’t wish to receive any. And they are really such nice people. Anyway I hope I get lots & lots of greetings. They all bring lovely memories Goodbye love once again. With all our love & thoughts & prayers from Mother & Dad
The Season’s Greetings
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat. Algerie.