Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Writes of having breakfast after father got home from night duties. Mentions winter weather continuing with ice and local boys sledging. Still waiting for letters but they still keep writing to him. Writes about books from the library that she has read and radio shows with entertainment from British and Canadian RAF camps. Mentions next day would be her birthday.

1942-01-18

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420118

[inserted] 108 [/inserted]
[inserted] 17-2-42 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.
England.
Sunday 8-15 a.m. 18/1/42
My dear Douglas.
We have just finished breakfast after Dad’s long walk home from night duties & as it is very cold & dark thought I would write my letter to you first thing. That’s a good long sentence isn’t it? What would Freddie Garrett or H. Lob. or whoever was responsible for your English tuition, say about it? Well, love, the bitter winter weather continues, & the paths down the road from our home were a sheet of glass yesterday & the small boys of the neighbourhood (2 in number) were enjoying their sledging. The sight of them brought memories & I could recall so happily the rosy cheeks & happy smiles associated with your sledging days. Dad came in about an hr ago, covered with snow, but I think the fall has stopped now & we look out on to an enchanted world. We have a wide expanse, too, & we just want a touch of sunshine now to complete the picture. Well love we are still waiting for letters written after [deleted] D [/deleted] Sept. 17. Four months is a very long time to be without letters. We had 6 together with dates from Aug 24th
[page break]
to September 17th. They came on December 15th & there has been nothing since. But I just keep on writing my letters to you & hope very soon to have some from you in reply. I never seem to have much news. In a previous letter I’ve told you that last Saturday night was not too restful since then we have done quite well. My latest library book is by Warwick Deeping “No hero – this”. Seeing we are living in days of war it is an unlucky choice as it is a story of a medical officer’s life in the last war – a very detailed story – which does not really appeal to me. However I may as well proceed with the reading. It is certainly enlightening, but can it be true? I wonder!! Here’s an extract recorded during the officer’s first interview with the C.O.
“Either of you play Bridge”? “We both play Bridge.” “Well, that’s something in your favour.”
I often wonder if you are able to listen in to the English radio programmes. We get some really splendid entertainment from both British & Canadian R.A.F. camps. Many of the artistes are really splendid, in fact we think they put up a better show than many of the professionals. Tomorrow will be my birthday & I am hoping so much to have a cable from you. It is the third birthday I’ve spent without you & hears [sic] hoping most devoutly that we may all be together again next year on Jan. 19th. Now love Goodbye again All our love & thoughts & prayers are ever with you
Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat
Algerie North Africa.