My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.
Most of the letters are long, so I'm going to serialise them over the next few weeks.
This is the third letter - the first starts here and the second here - and was written on 28 November 1941, less than two weeks before the Japanese invaded. I think this is the last letter Peggy received from Bill until Hong Kong was liberated.
28.11.41
Sweetheart.
A few lines before the mail goes, to show you I still love you.
I find I can post much later here, as I can send a messenger down with this any time before 3.30 pm. It's such a unsociable day, fine drizzle and cold also.
I am moving my kit today, I expect the old Chamfor Wood box to come in today some time. Now this bitch does not want to leave Stanley, she says Jillard Amal will cause too much trouble. as the old Wash amal that used to be at Stanley, you remember, the trouble of putting the Brooms out.
If she insists on not coming here, I'll have no alternative but give her the push.
I am liking the work here very well, a warder Bud wants to come back to it again if I had not been drawing acting pay, I would fight to stay here, the only snag are those damned old Qrs, which I am afraid will drive me mad, no curtains, four chair covers, grass matting, anyway I'll get over it.
Will be very busy paying out the staff in a few minutes time, hope I don't pay out too much.
Kiss me now, all my love, Always and Ever, Bill xxxxx
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