Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Mentions writing on a beautiful evening. Reminds him that she had told him of upcoming rationing of many items in England. Still waiting for response from their latest cable. Catches up with family news and mentions some of their activities. Mentions heavy winter had taken a toll of their plants. Wonders whether hot weather had arrived and whether they get enough to eat and drink. Writes communication from the Red Cross reporting on conditions in his camp, Grateful that the American consul was allowed to visit the camp and report satisfactory conditions. Asks whether he had received books or cigarettes sent. Would send another parcel in three months.

1942-05-09

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420509

Prisoners of War Post.
[inserted] 142 [/inserted]
[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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[postmark]
From
Mrs Hudson
191 Halifax Road
Nelson
Lancs.
England.
9/5/42
[two stamps]
[inserted] 42 [/inserted]
[inserted] 7-6-42 [/inserted]
[inserted] [indecipherable word]? [/inserted]
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[inserted] 142 [/inserted]
[underlined] 42 [/underlined]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.
England.
Saturday evening. 9/5/42
My dear Douglas.
This is a very beautiful evening with sunshine & marvellous visibility but a bitterly cold wind. Dad & I have just been tidying up the garden (it really does look very neat) & now we are thankful for a warm fire. I have told you in a previous letter that all fuel, coal, coke, gas, electricity, has to be rationed from June 1st & I am rather dreading it. You know what a cold person I am? I’m afraid I shall have to spend a lot of time in bed as that is about the only place where I can keep warm. In the evening, I mean. Well, love, we still await news from you. No response so far to my cable sent April 29th & our latest letter [inserted] from you [/inserted] dated January 9th. This morning we had a letter from Mary & she told that Auntie Gladys had a nasty accident last Sunday when a window cord broke & the window shut down on both her hands & cut them badly. Mary also told that [inserted] Kenneth [/inserted] was medically examined yesterday & passed A1 for the ground crew R.A.F. Of course he is very thrilled about it & we are surprised, but very thankful that he is apparently in much better health.
This afternoon Dad & I went down to town to the library & post-office & instead of coming straight home, as we expected, we had a little
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outing to a beautiful tiny village called Barley at the foot of Pendle Hill. It was such a lovely afternoon & the country side looked grand. There were lots of violets & wild strawberries in the hedges & we brought back several violet roots & are hoping they will grow in our garden. The severe winter has taken heavy toll of our precious plants including the little cactus which we brought from Penyffordd. It has only 3 little buds & the long drought is not doing any good. We are wondering how things are with you now – if the hot weather has started yet & if you have enough to eat & drink. We had a communication from the Red X on Thursday reporting on conditions in camp at Laghouat & we were very thankful that the American Vice-Consul was allowed to visit the camp twice, recently, & reports very satisfactorily on conditions there. Have you got the book from Mrs Clayton & the cigarettes from the State Express people yet? We shall be pleased to learn that you have got them safely. If you wish it I will try to send you another parcel in 3 months & wonder if you would like a wool pullover or anything like that. Let me know by cable if there is anything you specially wish for. You know of course that I cannot send food stuffs of any kind. The little parcel which I tried to send by Air Mail remains packed. I haven’t the heart to unpack it. Goodnight love & all our love & thoughts & prayers are ever with you. Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire.
Laghouat Algerie.