Dangos 230 canlyniad

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).

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

Gives advice to her aunty as to what items are best to send to the front; advice based on how hot the current climate is in Germany.

Mr Dale writes to inform Mr and Mrs Evans that he has been included in the list of prisoners transferred from Ruhleben to Holland. He has taken this opportunity to send Ifor's parents a few lines informing them that their son is well and in good spirits. He writes that he wishes there was some hope of Ifor being transferred soon, but it would appear that the exchange was limited to those who had suffered either mentally or physically. He says that in his case he is physically fit but writes that not all is as it should be; Mr Dale expects to get better treatment now he is in Holland. Mr Dale is finding the Hague a very pleasant place and will be going to see an opera (Madam Butterfly) for the first time in 4 years. He says that Mr and Mrs Evans need not be anxious about Ifor as Ruhleben is a very different place to what it was 1914-15. Though he writes that most of the improvements have been implemented and paid for by the interned themselves. The best that can be said of the Germans is that they left them alone. Mr Dale goes on write about Ifor's work in the camp school, claiming that everyone that has ever had anything to do with him has nothing but the highest opinion of his abilities. He hopes to pick up his friendship with Ifor again in the near future.

Writing with news of Mr Ifor L. Evans who he met in Nuremberg last month. He states that all Englishmen liable for military service were arrested and detained, but some (including himself) were set free after a medical officer had determined they were unfit for service. Desmond now believes that the prisoners have been moved to Nuremberg and explains he has been informed that they will be permitted some amount of liberty. He has passed Ifor's name on to the American Consul and (once in London)put his case to the Foreign Office, the latter is in the process of trying to arrange an exchange. Mr Warren encloses a message given to him by Ifor as well as papers given to him by the Foreign Office. He says that Ifor did not seem very down cast about his detainment and hopes that any further news of Ifor could be passed onto him.

Mary Harold has often thought of Mrs Evans and whether or not she had sent the parole money demanded by Germany for her son. Mrs Harold has received the same demand herself and had wired Mrs Evans about the matter but had the message blocked by the censors. She feels their sons may not understand why they won't send the money and that the foreign office wouldn't permit it anyway. Mrs Harold mentions that her second daughter has left the country with her little girl to be with her husband, who can't return to Britain due to the hostilities. She believes that their sons are better off in prison, believing that once the German population realises they have been misled, they will rise up in rebellion. Mary wonders if their sons are still in Nuremberg having read in the papers that those in Bavaria have been moved elsewhere.

Mr Darnell also has a son detained in Germany and is sending his condolences and best wishes.

She has recently received a postcard from her son Harry and is reporting their boys are well and appear to be getting their parcels. Mrs Davies writes that she is getting better and is able to get downstairs some days. Her eldest son Dick has just had his commission having been given an excellent report from his commanding officer.

Mary is writing about communications being cut, she mentions that not even the solders can write back home and mentions that some families with relatives imprisoned in other parts of Germany have had no word for 3 weeks. She attaches two newspaper cuttings on the treatment of prisoners in Germany, one mentions the temporary cutting of communications from the camp as a result of infringement of the regulations at Ruhleben camp by some prisoners.

Mr Ken Hardie desires that Mr Price be informed that all particulars about Mr Ifor L. Evans have been forwarded to the American Consul in London. The US Consul has been informed that any telegram expenses will be promptly refunded.

Thanks ILE's mother for her card, and taking an interest. ILE states that his mother speaks French, so he can use his maternal language, forgive him the momentary lack of his paternal language. ILE sends his love.

Sent on the day of his 3rd anniversary of leaving home, writing how no one expected him to be gone for this long. He is well and mentions having been vaccinated a fortnight previously. Monotony is their greatest enemy. He describes a concert they held on St David's day and a visit he made to the Rubhleben stage. Ifor writes how he was interested to hear of his father's visit to Mr D. James, who he would like to see himself when he returns home. Also interested in his mother's trip to London to arrange an exchange of civilian prisoners, but fears she will not be successful. Ifor hopes his grandmother is keeping well and has received the postcards he sent (in Welsh). He is reading some of Milton's poems, a task he is finding difficult but worthwhile. Ifor is also part of Mr Masterman's Modern History class. Ifor further discusses how he is keeping the Scholarship exam in mind. He asks his mother to find out from a Mr Scott whether he could take History and offer French only (not German) as an extra subject in the modern language exam. He further explains that he is considering taking the Inter London External but doubts if it will be worthwhile. The parcels being sent by Selfridges are excellent, but he only gets 2 a week. He is not as well provided for as he has been previously but the Danish bread is arriving regularly and is a vast improvement on the Swiss. J. F. Evans will be visiting him for tea tonight.

His father's letter of 08 July 1917 has arrived and Ifor discusses the information on the syllabus for the entrance examination he has supplied. Ifor has not done any work for the last 4 weeks having spent the time walking round and round the race course (within which the camp is located). Though he sends details of the reading he has been doing. Ifor then discusses his wish to visit the Beacons district once again, a desire that appears to have been prompted by a visit by his parents; he requests that his mother try to send some photographs of the area. He then informs his father that he was given up cigarettes but only smokes 'hard tobacco' now and requests a change in his tobacco order. He acknowledges parcels received, asks for Coal Tar soap and Kolynes. The only needs he has for clothing are breeches, a strong pair of boots, towels and handkerchiefs. Following he thanks his father for the remittance made to Das Thomas's family and then requests further remittances be made to the bank. Ifor discusses a special meal they have had recently and mentions how he is no longer a strict vegetarian. Next he goes on to discuss his family and longing to be home. He provides a list of books he would like; The Cambridge County Geography of Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, Ymadawiad Arthur and Gorchest Wil by T. Gwynn.

Confirming receipt of a parcel containing booker. The bread he receives is bad again and he asks her not to send any more, it angers him to have to throw it away; even Whiteley's bread is bad. Around 4 months ago he received a parcel from American Express but has not had anything delivered since. He asks his Mum not to send anything via them again. Ifor is resigned to being kept detained until next August and asks for plenty of biscuits (plain and wholesome) which he depends on.

Informing of the deliveries; a parcel on 07 September 1915 from Whiteley's dated 17 August 1915, the bread within being rotten; a parcel from choir on 30 August 1915; 2 postcards from home on 30 August 1915; on the 10 September 2 cards from his father dated 2 postcards from his father dated 01 and 03 August 1915. He sends thanks and promises to write tomorrow. Ifor then asks for a range of books: Economic History by Meredith, Cambridge Curriculum in Economic, it's purpose and plan by Marshall and his Cambridge Student's Handbook. Mr Masterman will be supervising his work.

Lists the parcels he has received; a 2nd bread parcel from Switzerland; 2 parcels from his mother dated 25 September 1915 and 05 October 1915; 2 parcels H and P. Ifor describes that they woke up two days ago to discover snow several meters deep had fallen. It has since been very cold. He then expresses his hope that his parents have sent him a warm pair of gloves and a woollen helmet.

He is thanking his Dad for spending so much time on an 'unfortunate and undeserving son'. Following on he writes that he should not worry if the mail becomes irregular, he shall write regularly all the same. Ifor requests to have his Student's Handbook to Cambridge sent to him as well as New Cambridge Curriculum in Economics, it's Purpose and Plan by Marshall. The card finishes with 'poor old prince'.

Ifor is distressed to learn that she has not received any news from him lately and wishes this form of communication could be discarded altogether. He has received parcel no.18, their quality is improving; bread has arrived to the letter R but he has in hand only 1 tobacco package. He especially appreciated receiving a package of clothes and boots.

Mentions that it has been 2 weeks since he last heard from her, but acknowledges this may well be down to the postal system. Ifor sends acknowledgements for parcels received but regrettably some have been inadequate. He asks his Mum to send him some coal tar soap and Kolynes.

Contains details of Ifor's current status.