Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Reminisces over past events and reports arrival of postcard from him. Mentions father on duty and going straight to work. Writes of new biscuit rationing system which would be the same as for sweets. Wonders if any parcels have reached him. Mentions books they are reading. Writes that autumn seems to be upon them with blackout time drawing in.

1942-08-12

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420812

[inserted] 172 [/inserted]
[underlined] 70 [/underlined]
[inserted] 5-9-42 [/inserted]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.

England.
Wed. a.m. Aug. 12th/42
My dear Douglas.
I wonder if you are remembering two years ago today. Every detail stands out so vividly & I can see again all the little tender gestures of love & affection. My beautiful roses bloom only in memories, but how precious they are! And how thankful we are for the hope that one day we may recapture the joy & happiness. I have just been writing to Mrs Bowers. It is two years ago tomorrow August 14th since Harry went out on his last long journey & I know just what a sad anniversary it will be. She is very brave.
This morning the post-man brought a 2nd p.c. of Laghouat. A picture of the road where you saw the woman spinning. I think the palm trees look beautiful but Dad thinks they look “daft” with the tufts at the top. Dad has been on duty again & on these occasions [inserted] occasions [/inserted] (can’t spell it) has two hours at home for breakfast. New rules are in the making, he says, which will mean no time off whatever – just go straight into the Works after duty. I wonder if he will, or can, go much thinner. I used to worry a great deal about it, but after seeing Jim, Maud, & Kenn, on war-time rations, allied with the urge for saving £.S.d. I’ve given up worrying. These slender forms
[page break]
seem natural to the Hudson family. Last night Lord Woolton announced biscuit rationing from August 23rd. If that is on the same [deleted] pos [/deleted] position as sweets we shall be better off. A month ago the sweet ration started 2 ozs per head per week. On Aug. 23rd it is to be increased to 3 ozs per head which I think is generous in these days of war. I was amazed to learn from my grocer that in pre-war days the mill workers used to buy 4 ozs of sweets every day. I am often wondering if any of the parcels have reached you yet. It does seem pretty hopeless sending anything worthwhile. On Sunday I read “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London & now Dad & I are sharing a new one by Warwick Deeping “Joan of the Tower” very weird & wonderful!! Not really impressed. Well love the days are just passing away & we feel to be starting winter again. Rain & cold persist & now it is blackout-time at 9-12. I seem to have got my dates a bit mixed at the beginning of my letter. Today as I said is Wed. August 12th so I have written my letter to Mrs Bowers a day too soon. Dad & I were remarking at breakfast time August 12th & grouse-shooting would have begun in pre war days & [indecipherable word] would have been devoted in our newspapers to the arrival, cooking, & eating, in London, of the first brace of birds. I hope you are now able to use the Cable & Wireless service, if it is an advantage to you. If not we will revert to the old prepaid reply system which seemed quite useful. Goodbye now love, again. Thank you for post-card dated 5/6/42. All our love & thoughts & prayers from
Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat
Algerie.