Starts with Ifor wishing his parents a happy new year. He is wondering why I has not received a parcel sent to him through Mr Gaston early last November and requests they make enquiries; Ifor has not so far received any packages from his parents. Ifor explains how he has meet several people from south Wales (including Mr Davies, Mr Jenkins and a Mr Lewis). He states that he is getting a little work and reading done. He also asks for a further £10 to be sent to him via Mr Heck. The postcard is finished off with Ifor asking for his best wishes to be passed on to Willie and sends love to old people.
Ifor sends thanks for the £5 postal, books and postcard of the 18th. He explains how he looks forward to hearing from them and the more they write the happier he'll be. He asks where Willie Hodges is, explaining that he received a postcard from him at Christmas. Ifor says that they are all settled and resigned to a long stay, then informs his parents that it is best to send parcels direct. He has met Harry Player for the first time and is getting much reading done, having found he is able to get books through a supplier in Munich.
Ifor is thanking his parents for the parcels he has received (a tin of biscuits and a birthday package). A experiment which may be repeated. He has also received £5 and is asking for more to be sent around the 3rd of the month. He is enjoying the books they sent, is well and fairly cheerful. Currently Ifor is exchanging French and German lessons with a man called Harold. He is also getting some grammar work done as well as his reading. Ifor looks forward to hearing from his parents and appreciates all the things they send.
Ifor is longing to hear from his parents once again. He lists a number of individuals he has received correspondence from and asks his parents to let them know he will reply to them at a later date. Ifor remarks that no delicacies sent to them after 10 January 1915 will be delivered. He says that Golden Syrup, soup extracts and nut meat would be acceptable. He then asks how everyone is (specifically mentioning Jaden and his grandmother), asks if they have heard any good news and says that he is looking forward to coming home but has little hope.
Ifor is letting his parents know how pleased he is to have received their parcel of mince pies and a package from Dilys. He asks them to thank the latter but informs them that he has not received anything sent via Mr Gaston. Ifor signs off saying he is in good health and asks that they give his 'faithful hound' a biscuit on his behalf.
He writes that he is always glad to receive word from her and laments that their correspondence is limited to postcards. He states once again that he will write each Sunday and Wednesday in future. Ifor says that they had a quiet Christmas and that none of his parents parcels have yet arrived. However, they received some nice things from a store in Berlin and were treated to music from a male choir. He wraps up by expressing curiosity as to how his parents spent their Christmas.
Ifor is sending his gratitude for the parcel sent on the 29th January containing breeches; his knickers were in a terrible state. Now he is asking for a matching coat (half Norfolk); his coat also being in a sorry state. Ifor goes on to ask for the parcel to be made 'a weekly institution', asking for Potatoes, onions, nut meat and biscuits. For his next parcel he would like a few tins of cocoa, coffee, milk and marmite extract. He has received his money the same day. He is getting a good amount of work and reading in. He now writes every 10 days as they are permitted 2 cards per week.
He once again sends thanks for the regular postcards and parcels she sends. However he explains that the last 3 loaves of bread send were mildewed. Therefore he made arrangements with Mr Heck in Holland to send a weekly parcel containing bread, butter and cheese. He asks that all future arrangements be made through him and not through Mr Gaston. Ifor expresses his pleasure in hearing about his parent's trip to Bideford, wishing that he had been there.
Ifor is letting his parents know that he feels that it has been a long time since he has last heard from them. He notes that sent parcels are still missing, however he states once again that the birthday parcel and the biscuits were most acceptable. Ifor is asking for 100 marks to be sent each month; he apparently spends approximately 15 marks each week. He stresses that his time is not being wasted and briefly outlines what he is learning. Ifor hopes his parents are well, asks after Willie and asks that they write to him as much as possible. He asks how Prince is, then requests that they send him a dozen handkerchiefs and knitted stockings.
Once again Ifor sends thanks for parcels and postcards. He asks that his parents pass on his thanks to Mrs D. P. Davies and Mr Jack Jones for the things they have sent him. Ifor says that their party is still together and in as good spirits as can be expected given the circumstances. The bread from Whiteley's arrived for Dale and himself in reasonable condition. Finally he sends thanks for the Tabacco and Eau de Colgne.
Ifor sends thanks for postcards sent the 26th February and 4th, 5th and 9th March; he observes that postcards seem to take a day longer coming from Geneva and recommends trying through Holland. Mr Heck has written to Ifor offering to act as a middleman for his correspondence; Ifor hopes that sending money through him will result in a better exchange. He pledges to write a letter in a day or so.
Sends thanks for regular parcels. He requests that in future that parcels are not sent through Am. Ex. Co.; they are expensive and unable to supply bread; their deliveries are slow and the parcels do not contain what he wants. He cannot understand his mother arranging parcels to the cost of £5 fortnightly. Ifor asks that his father thank Mr Jack Jones et al for two parcels he has recently received.
Ifor wants the order with American Express Company to be cancelled at once. He finds them very expensive and they are unable to supply what he needs. He provides a list of food stuffs he would like to be supplied with. He writes that bread may be sent if packaged in a cardboard box.
Notes on items received; parcel on 01 September 1915 dated 17 August 1915 from his mum; a parcel from Mrs D. Philipps (Llwydcoed) and Miss(?) M. Jones (Victoria Square); on 02 September 1915 a card from mum dated 27 August 1915; on 03 September parcel containing baked beans and bread (rotten) and a postcard of 26 August 1915. Ifor is still keeping in good health and fine spirits, is able to get work done and fit in a lot of reading. He hopes to see his mother in 12 around 12 months.
Sending his gratitude for the splendid and most acceptable parcel she sends him. He apologises for not writing before but explains his correspondence is limited. Ifor says he is keeping well thanks to the parcel her friend and she send. He lists the work he is doing and asks that the Siloa choir be thanked for their kindness.
Ifor sends his thanks for the parcels she sends. Bread comes perfectly from Whiteley's. He asks that she not send eggs(?) again, they have all to be thrown away and they can buy them there. He also requests that his mother sends Bird's or Eiffel Tower lemon powder and baked beans (Heinz).
Thanking his mother for regular parcels and her generosity. He has received books from Smith's and is very happy to have Marshall's Principles of Economics which he works on each day. Ifor sends special thanks for the Welsh language books; he manages to find the time to study the language.
Sends thanks for her parcels and asks that his gratitude be passed onto his grandmother also. He much appreciated her last parcel containing baked beans, fruit and cheese. He is also gratefully for the lemon powder his mother sent. Ifor will send a letter soon detailing his recent news.
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.
