Dangos 229 canlyniad

Sends thanks for parcels, not able to acknowledge as they were not numbered. Thinks he has everything that was sent, though has only received 3 lots of bread. Parcels are irregular though things seem to be settling down. Explains that rice should be better packed and that they should not send oats or tinned fish.

Expressing his sadness that his mail is taking so long to reach him and goes into the irregularity of the postal system; he only receives 1 loaf of bread every 8-10 days and hopes they are not paying for more. He has sent a detailed account of their Welsh society (Cymdeithas Gymraeg) to Mr L. James and trusts he has received it. Ifor then goes on to detail his current teaching work and laments the failings of the elementary system in Wales. He mentions that he is reading up on Indian History himself, as they have plenty of books on the subject. Ifor asks his father if he could find out from Dr Scott as to whether he could combine History with the French section of modern languages only for the entrance scholarship. Not German. Explains that he is not strong in the language and has little desire to work at it given his present circumstances. He will write to his father on the subject of Welsh nationalism at some point in the future. Ifor details the death of one of his pupils David Thomas on the last page, his death at the age of 24 after 5 weeks illness has been a shock to everyone. He asks that his parents send money to his family; address Sarnau, Llanarth, Nr Aberayron.

Acknowledging 2 parcels he has received, listing the contents. He writes that all the goods were of good quality but difficult to live off for a week. His father misunderstands him; his father has said he should be difficult given the circumstances. Ifor on the other hand feels Selfridges should not be permitted to profit from the situation.

Acknowledges parcels but in not as many as previously. He finds it surprising that the 2 he has received are at the maximum weight allowance and does not think they are worth what his father pays for them. Ifor has sent a letter recommending parcels from France; J. F. Evans receives Heinz goods from Penarth and complains about Selfridge's. Necessity has forced Ifor to abandon his vegetarianism; asks for ham and bacon. Ifor details his golf and the lessons he has been taking, he believes this should prove advantageous when he goes to Cambridge; his knee and temperament rules out rougher sports. He will therefore be very grateful for his clubs and for half a dozen balls every 3 months. He does not want his father to worry about his knee. He details the trouble he is recently had and the treatment he has had. B. J. Dale's accident has proven more serious but he too is on the mend. A tobacco parcel has recently arrived though Ifor is surprised the mixture his mother has sent is not nicotine free; it would appear that the mixture is too strong for Ifor. He would like to make changes to his tobacco order and asks for 100 nice cigarettes.

Ifor writes to his mother about the recent death of his grandmother.

Ifor writes at length about his feelings for his recently deceased grandmother; regretting that he will not be able to demonstrate in person the Welsh that he has learnt (his grandmother cared deeply for the Welsh language). He covers again his wishes to come home and describes his disappointment with The Hague. Ifor comments that Selfridge's parcels have improved and lists some items he would appreciate and mentions an increased allowance. He then provides a list of acknowledgements of goods received. Apparently his mother's parcel of 07 September 1917 is not yet to hand as the August Central Committee thought she was sending too much soap. The letter finishes with Ifor discussing his parent's decision to move in to a Bungalow, which he prefers to a move to Swansea.

Ifor starts with acknowledging parcels received. He writes that he has not been to the Sanatorium to see B. J. Dale since the accident, though Macmillan has gotten permission to visit him on 2 occasions. However Ifor was fortunate in being able to see him on his 2nd visit to the camp since his accident; he looks well and is considerably better. Ifor then discusses the prospect of taking an external London Degree; he is currently working towards his Intermediate B.Sc (Economics) which he thinks will be more useful than an arts Degree, if more work. He then informs his father that he has ordered books to the value of nearly £3, which his father will be liable for payment. However he insists that they are essential for his work towards the London syllabus and mentions he may have the opportunity to sit the examination in Germany next July. Ifor mentions that his proposals re. Aberystwyth may have startled him somewhat and he awaits his reply. He also feels his mother is not very comfortable at 45 Aberdare and hopes the arrangement is temporary. He finishes with writing that he is currently spending an hour per week with the great master Johann Sebastian Bach in the camp music shed and sends his thanks for Miss B. Richards.

The question uppermost in Ifor's and the minds of his fellow prisoners is will they be home for Christmas; their chances are looking good. Events are moving forward quickly but Ifor cautions that experience has taught them not to get too optimistic. Ifor expects their reunion to be a joyous one and details is expectation of going down to the polling booth to vote with his parents. Reading the paper takes up time Ifor himself believes should be spent on more serious work. He thinks himself ready for the exam next June but wonders whether it would be worth his while to go to any University. Still law still appeals to him most of all though he hopes to discuss this more once he returns home.

Informs his parents that they are just leaving Dresden for the Czechoslovak frontier by Elbe Steamer. They found Dresden appealing enough to stay an extra day.

Sent from Prague. Ifor describes what he declares to be the logical outcome of superstition; a church 30 miles from Prague decorated in skulls and bones (depicted on the card).

Thanks for letter of 4th this month. ILE answered this before, but the letter was returned as undeliverable, so now attempting postcard instead. Held here as a prisoner of war for these last four weeks. Things are okay, and ILE has his books and other stuff with him. He has received his money from home. Please send this news on to his father.

He has received a postcard from Ifor L. Evans. A transcript of this card is contained in the letter.

Writes that he understands Mr Evans'reasons for not paying out the bail money demanded of the German authorities. He suggests that if they send word to Ifor that they cannot send payment without saying why, the authorities may see that money won't be sent and release him. Like they have done with the other prisoners.

He writes that he has not yet had a reply to the last card he sent to Ifor. He will write once again today. Mr Heck has been informed by the Dutch Consul that the others have been released against caution, released to be free in the town within the city limits.

Sending his sympathies for the situation that his son now finds himself.

Sending thanks for Mr Evans' recent letter, he is pleased to hear things are going well and hopes he will get his son back soon.

Mr Ken Hardie would like Mr Evans to have a copy of the answers he has received from Sir Edward Grey (not present). S/he also writes that requests for money should not be responded to.

Returning Ifor's letter, part of which he has copied and intends to publish in the next school magazine.

Writes of the good news he has had of his brother Mervyn; he had been at the front north of Salonika for 3 months and is mainly engaged in map making. He is fortunate in that his job is more interesting and varied than most infantry officers. He then finishes the letter with discussing his disagreement over Mr Evans' statement about European civilisation having turned out to be a fiasco.

Writes that he appreciates that some special provision will have to be made for individuals who have spent time imprisoned during the war or have been away on military service. However he explains that they cannot draw up a syllabus for an exam when they do not know when it will take place. He also gives advice on what sort of preparation Ifor can take in the meantime, considering his circumstances.