January 1915. Mary Harold is wondering whether Ifor has received any of parcels sent out to him, having received 2 postcards from John claiming not to have had any. She has contacted Mr Gaston requesting more information but received no reply as yet. Mary has sent another parcel for John addressed to Ifor, in case he should be away, having dispatched letters to both explaining the situation. -- 02 February 1915. Mrs Harold sends thanks for news on the parcels sent to their boys in Germany and exchanges the information she has received. She is grateful for the newspaper cuttings sent by Mrs Evans regarding prisoners of war, which she had not seen. Mary is keeping copies of the papers for her son so he can read what has transpired in his absence. Mary wishes it were possible for the two of them to meet and discuss the situation together, she finds it difficult not having anyone nearby in the same situation. She has heard of a Russian girl and shared classes with her son in Marburg than has never been heard of since she left to go home.
Mary sends thanks for the newspaper cuttings Mrs Evans sent her. She finds it funny that they had both sent each other the same cuttings at the same time. The reason for the stoppage of the post from the prison camps, she understands to be the result of some prisoners attempting to send more postcards than the 2 a week they are permitted.
Mary is sending thanks for the newspaper cuttings Mrs Evans has sent. She is concerned that she has not received any postcards of late from John, fearing especially that he has tried to send too many and his cards are being held back. Mary is also sorry to hear that Mrs Davies is ill. Still she remains optimistic that nothing is seriously wrong. Mary also brings up the subject of all the young men that are being killed and wounded in the war.
Mary is once again writing about the situation surrounding the parcels they send to their sons in Germany. She also asks if Mrs Evans has received any letters asking for money for cash given to her boy. Mrs Harold and a number of other have received such requests. She also mentions that they currently have 600 soldiers in the area this weekend; 2 are staying at her house.
Mrs Harold is sending thanks for news of the bread Mrs Evans has sent to Germany. She also mentions that some of the boys are studying German and she has had requests for books to be sent. Apparently the detainees hear very little German and fear forgetting what they have already learnt. Mary also writes that her youngest son has enlisted.
Mrs Harold hopes that the introduction of home rule at Ruhleben is a sure sign that the Germans are running out of men. She writes that her youngest son is well and that the outdoor life seems to suit him. Her only other son will be enlisting next week; as he gives his father a considerable amount of help she doesn't know how they cope. Mary has also had word from one of her daughters that is staying in Rio de Geneva; she sends word of 2 friends that have been killed. Mary then describes a tragic incident on the front which left the university coy (company?) with only 12 members. She also mentions that the problems she is having with her eyes are getting worse.
Mary writes that she is pleased to see that Mrs Evan's shoulder is getting better, but sorry to hear that Ifor has hurt his knee. She had not heard the news of the civilians being returned home; only 7 British and 1 American with 4 women held back. Mary explains that she did not hear about the Swiss bread from John but from the papers, along with butter being sent for the prisoners being sold by the Germans. She explains about John having to take his decorations down and discusses his parcels. Her son in training is ill and not able to go to France, he may never go. This would greatly upset him as he wishes very much to go.
Includes a transcript of a card from Ifor that he should receive in the same post. Transcript included in case the card does not arrive. He asks that Mr Evans be informed that his son was well the last time he saw him. Mr Rosenstein will be happy to do anything else he can for Ifor if needed.
Writes that he will do everything he can to help but cautions that the military authorities are opposed to individual exchanges. The cases which his correspondent refers to were special exchanges arranged against the German Consular Offices.
Regarding a letter Mr Hoyle had sent to Professor Fungersen, requesting he contact Herr Leister in Suhl to find out any news he has on Ifor Leslie Evans. Attached is the reply from Herr Leister of 16 September 1914 (attached), which gives details of Ifor's situation.
Dear Mr. Ponachi? With the last post I have received a card from Leslie Evans with the following contents: Please inform his father that he is well, but held as a prisoner of war in Nuremberg. Please send 25 pounds to American Consulate. He can also send postcards there. Please also inform Mrs. Dale, Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. MacDuff their sons are well. Next part is illegible. All well and treated well. Went walking for 2 hours. Writer is at disposal addressee. He hopes there will be peace soon. Jacob Rosenstein Note written on the back in Italian.
11 blank unused postcards depicting: 107- Cathedrale de CHARTRES. Fragment du Tour du Choeur (XVI siecle). ND Phot. Revolutionstage in Berlin - Nach der Einnahme des Marstalles. 6 Loches-Bas Relief ornant la Tour d'Agnes Sorel. -LL. Kleinschmalkalden I. Thur. 24 Loches. - Le Chateau Royal. - Le Lede Louis XII et la Tour Agnes Sorel. -LL. Meiningen. Marktplatz - Stadkirche. Auto mit Maschinengemehren des Arbeiter. und Soldatenrate am Brandenburger Tor. Berl. Jllustr. Ges. Berlin. Nationaldenkmal Kaiser Wilhelm I. Berlin. Palais Kaiser Wilhelm I. Berlin. Konigl. Universitat. Berlin. Die Garde Du Corps am Zeughause im Zuge Der Fahnenkompagnie.
The collection consists almost entirely of correspondence predominately relating to Ifor L. Evans detainment in Germany during the Great War (1914-1918); letters and postcards between Ifor, his parents (Mr W. J. Evans and Mrs M. Evans) and grandmother; letters between Ifor, friends and others; correspondence between Ifor's parents and a range of individuals, mostly with regard to Ifor's situation; a series of letters to Mrs M. Evans from Mary Harold of Brae-Maray, Maeduff. The only material which is not correspondence is a loose selection of newspaper cuttings containing articles on German prisoners of war, as well as a few odds and ends (see series ILE/5 Miscellaneous for more details).
