Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Writes of cold weather and snow and trying to keep warm. Mentions his latest cable and catches up with news of family and friends. Mentioned he wrote he was not well and wondered if he had recovered. Philosophises on future. No progress with parcel but will try via Red Cross. Catches up with news of activities.

1942-02-06

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420206

Prisoners of War Post
[BY AIR MAIL stamp]
[postmark]
[two postage stamps]
[postmark]
755052 Sgt. J. D. Hudson
Interned British Airman
Camp Militaire
Laghouat
Algerie
Afrique du Nord
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From
Mrs Hudson
191 Halifax Road
Nelson
Lancs.
England
[inserted] 14 [/inserted]
[five ink stamps]
[inserted] 17-3-42 [/inserted]
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[inserted] 114 [/inserted]
[underlined] 14 [/underlined]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.
England. 6/2/42
[two ink stamps]
My dear Douglas.
Winter is still with us & I think this is one of the coldest days of the season. The sun keeps trying to peep & the effect on the surrounding country is almost magical. Snow lies everywhere & the appearance is very pleasing but not the feelings. I just cannot keep warm. Presently I shall away on my usual excursion & I find that the best way of keeping “not so cold”. Well love, as I told you in Wednesday’s letter it was a great joy to have your cable on Tues. night. It is a comfort to me always to have such recent news. I mentioned in my last letter that it was sent from Laghouat & delivered here in one day, on the 3rd. I also told you that Mrs Baker, Miss Annie Pickles, came on Tuesday evening & brought some snaps of the boys in camp. I could only recognise you in one of them & was very worried to notice you looking thin & worn. I gather from your letters written about that time that you were not very well & am wondering all the time if you have now recovered fully. We are all thankful that Spring is on the way again bringing renewed faith & hope. “Harsh days come & the
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vision of Spring grows dim. Then a fair break brings new songs & fresh promise of leaf & flower. There is merely a halt on the harsh days – there is a strong march forward on those that are kindly & as the darkness narrows gladness grows”. That is a quotation from A Countryman’s diary in the “Mail” of Feb 3rd & appears to faithfully express my own thoughts & feelings. I was so pleased to read in your letter of your visit to the town & of your interest in the native woman busy at her spinning wheel. It’s rather strange that you should have to go to Africa to see a spinning wheel in use. I have not done so [inserted] except in pantomimes [/inserted]
Well love I have no news from the censor about the parcel so am afraid I cannot do anything about [inserted] it [/inserted] & will try & get something to you via the Red Cross but it does look rather stupid that such an overworked organisation should have an added burden when we should be only too pleased to relieve them.
Yesterday I went to Crumpsall to see Mrs Hazel & Mrs Clayton. Mr Hazel looks very ill & I get the impression that his marriage will prove to be a tragic event. Mrs Clayton looks better than for some time. Cousin Fanny is still with her. I think they will return to London together. John is expecting to be home on seven days leave [deleted] of [/deleted] on Saturday week & Mrs Clayton seemed anxious – wondering what it meant. He is still at the same place & in the same conditions – which seems strange – or doesn’t it? I don’t understand!! Now love I must say Goodbye to you again. With all our love & thoughts & prayers from Mother & Dad (who has not had quite such a strenuous [inserted] time [/inserted] lately)
755052 Hudson
(Camp Militaire) Laghouat
Algerie
North Africa.