Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Letter to Douglas Hudson from his parents

Reports arrival of postcard and cable and is pleased that her letters to him arrive in sequence. Says most of his letters reach them but not in sequence. Awaiting next letters. Says it is a great relief to learn of the help provided by different branches of the Red Cross and hopes that visit by representative will bring better conditions. Comments on the weather and the view of their local reservoir. Reports arrival of coal man with 10 bags and mentions they will be rationed to five bags a month until coal situation eases. Hopes by time letter reaches him his weather will be cooler and supplies of fuel will be forthcoming.

1942-09-22

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EHudsonP-HEHudsonJD420922

Prisoners of War Post
[BY AIR MAIL stamp]
[postmark]
[postage stamp]
[inserted] 183 [/inserted]
755052 Sgt. J. D. Hudson
Interned British Airman
Camp Militaire
Laghouat
Algerie
Afrique du Nord
[page break]
From
Mrs Hudson
191 Halifax Road
Nelson
Lancs.
England.
22/9/42
[inserted] 82 [/inserted]
[inserted] 13-11-42 [/inserted]
[postmark]
[inserted] On Record [/inserted]
[page break]
[inserted] 183 [/inserted]
[underlined] 82 [/underlined]
191 Halifax Road
Nelson Lancs.
England.
Tues. am. Sept. 22nd/42
My dear Douglas.
Since writing to you last I have been very delighted to have your post-card = picture of Laghouat dated July 31st & your cable Laghouat 18th both received here on Sat. Sept. 19th. It is very wonderful news that my letters to you arrive in perfect sequence. It was a good idea to number them & makes a little more interest. Most of your letters reach us, but not quite in sequence. For instance your letter of July 17th arrived one Saturday then on the Monday we had ten dating from June 5th to July 14th then on the Thursday one dated June 17th. Last Thursday I just had one dated July 27th & since then just keep on looking for more.
It was good to have your cheery post-card with “Best wishes from the Post-man”. We heartily reciprocate the greetings [inserted] to the Postman [/inserted] & now eagerly await the letters giving more news of the post-man. It is a great relief to learn of the splendid help given to you by the different branches of the Red Cross Organization & I sincerely hope that the visit of the lady representatives will bring better conditions to you all. Rain is falling again this morning. It certainly has been a very poor summer & still we learn from radio & newspapers that the harvest is a bumper one. It is strange how different the weather has
[page break]
in the South when, = in these days of swift moving transport, = the distance between is so small. This morning our “lake” is nearly empty and the outlook from the dining room window not half so pleasant. It is only a very small reservoir & is filled from a larger one higher up the valley, but we do not understand why sometimes it is almost full for days then overnight it empties many feet lower. On these occasions our neighbour Mr Massey calls it “the black hole of Calcutta”. Yesterday my coalman arrived with 10 bags of coal – a most welcome visitor. I think I told you that the dealers wife told me we are to be rationed to five bags a month until the coal situation eases a lot. Here am I sitting writing without fire on this cold wet morning in September & more than ever now our maxim is “Early to bed early to rise.” By the time this letter reaches you the days will be much cooler for you all & I do hope supplies of fuel will be forth-coming Am glad you have tea. It would be real hardship to me without tea. My neighbour Miss Chester brought me 4 ozs last night & Mrs Banks let me have 4 ozs last week. Mrs Horne (Maurice’s mother) posted your letter from Cornholme. Mrs Banks took me up to see their [inserted] Horne’s [/inserted] cottage home up on the hill at [indecipherable word]. Do you remember the little farm just on the left? It is very nice but I don’t want to go back to Cornholme. Marsh-brook at Church Stretton would be better for me. Goodbye now love. As ever all our love & thoughts & prayers.
Mother & Dad.
755052 Hudson
Camp Militaire
Laghouat Algerie.