Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Writes that things are going along quietly and not much news. Mentions fathers work. Comments on weather with snow still around. Hopes winter is over. Two lines blacked out. Continues with gossip and catches up with family news. Writes of changes to food supplies and reduced rations.

1942-03-17

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420317

[inserted] 127 [/inserted]
[underlined] 27 [/underlined]
[inserted] 12-5-41 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson. Lancs.
England
Tues. 8.30 p.m. 17/3/42
My dear Douglas.
Dad has just gone out on his fire watch duties so I am going to talk to you. I’m afraid there isn’t much to talk about = things seem to be going along quietly = just the daily round & common task. Dad seems to be having to do an extra bit, as one of his best men has had to go back to work in the pit. He was a good reliable man & will be difficult to replace in these days of acute labour shortage. It is a case of Dad training an older man & you can imagine the job is not too easy. Last time Dad was on duty he left home during a blizzard. Tonight he left home on the fringe of a very severe thunder-storm, of all things, in March. I was thankful it was almost over before he left home. It was strange to have thunder & lightening & to see drifts of snow lying in the hollows. The ice has all gone from our “lake” now & the warmth has come so suddenly as to be almost over-powering. Dad & I were so warm last night we let the fire go out as we sat reading. So now we are hoping it is Goodbye to chilblains & all the other uncomfortable accompaniments of frosty wintry weather. [censored sentence]
[page break]
my fairy godmother had endowed me with a little more courage. As you know I’m not a bit brave & very very [sic] often become very anxious indeed although I do realize how stupid it is. The long weary wait for letters is very trying & I am so very thankful that ours get through to you more quickly. I am still waiting for the precious cable. Dad rang Auntie Maud up at the weekend & learned that Uncle Jim is much better & had been up to the Mill again. I wrote to Eileen for her birthday on the 10th but have no response – in fact I have no news whatever from that part of the world since January 19th. Today I’ve written to Auntie Gladys for her birthday tomorrow & remember it is Ted Hole’s birthday too. I told you he is in India didn’t I? You know that Mr Hole retired from business last winter don’t you? Mrs Hole says he does a lot of walking & has derived benefit from it. It must be heaven to be away from the E.S. Co. This week we learn of many imminent changes in our food supply. No more white bread after Easter until the war is over & there are hints of reduced rations of meat & butter. But its no use worrying about that now. “Sufficient unto the day, etc.” Now here’s Joseph McLeod telling the news again which means it is 9 p.m. so now I will put the kettle on & make my cup of tea. How I do wish we could enjoy it together! The announcer is just telling that gas, electricity, & coal are to be rationed. What a blessing summer is on the way. Now Goodnight love. As always all our love & thoughts & prayers are with you.
Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat Algerie.