A reply to a recent letter from Mr Evans. He finds it incredible that his son should be treated so, but recommends against publishing the letter as that could only spread ill feeling, which should be avoided. Mr Hoyle is sorry to hear that Ifor has been moved and suggests that Mr Evans next course of action should be to find out where he really is. He recommends trying the American Consul in Nuremberg via his counterpart in Rotterdam.
Thanks for postcard of ILE's father that he received today. Unfortunately ILE is being held as a prisoner of war for 5 weeks now. Remainder partly unreadable - something about Prussia. Please tell parents not to fear for him.
Happy to have received ILE's letter. Finally ILE has left the German hell and happily enough in good health too. He and his family rejoice that the trials and tribulations ILE and his parents have borne over the last four years is now over. How has ILE borne this trial. How difficult it must have been to be a prisoner. He hopes Britain and France will go forward together to a better future. Poor France has suffered terribly, too many of her youth have been sacrificed and her occupied lands systematically destroyed. An immense desolation in a devastated region. The French will never be able to forget this and other crimes against humanity. As ILE knows, the writer's own lands were devastated by the Boche. He asks ILE whether he remembers seeing it. Those beautiful memories of 1912. The writer has informed George of ILE's news. George is in the Alsace. He ends by giving his address (c/o 237th Regiment Campaign Artillery) and extending family greetings.
Mr Evans is writing to someone who he believes to be acquainted with some people at Nuremberg, Denmark. He asks if it would be possible to get some communication to his son Ifor through them. Describing how he came to be detained in Germany and supplying his current address.
Sends thanks for Ifor's letter and his recommend of Wycliffe to Mr Richards. He writes that they currently have many more applicants than vacancies and is not expecting any considerable number to arise until Christmas. Furthermore he says that Ifor did not tell him nearly as much about himself in his letter as he wished but hopes he is enjoying life. He also adds that he has just heard that the contingent of Wycliffe boys are keeping loyal to Wycliffe traditions.
Mr Dale is overjoyed that the Ruhleben prisoners are soon to be released. He does not know when exactly Ifor will get home but hopes he will get this letter soon. Mr Dale hopes to visit a friend in Kerry on 14 December and wonders if it would be possible to visit Ifor on his way home. He has no idea where Kerry is but hopes it is not far from Aberdare.
He has received a postcard from Ifor of which he provides a transcript (translated to English). Mr Evans writes that while he is still in prison, there are other Englishmen there; 2 gentlemen B. J. Dale and Mr Hughesdon? As the American Consul has visited the prisoners he suggests that arrangements could perhaps be made for others in the area to visit them.
Mr Evans is sending a hand written transcript of a postcard he has just received from Ifor. He has asked Mr Heck of Amsterdam to find out if Ifor desires the surety requested to me sent. If yes he will do so. He has no confidence in the affair but his son's safety and comfort are his utmost concerns. Mr Evans comments on the discrepancies in the amount requested, and expresses his hope that the lessor sum of 3000 marks (£150) is the correct one.
S/he has just return from Nuremberg and is happy to report that Ifor is well although still imprisoned when s/he left. Ifor is not in need of money as some Englishmen visit the prison and take him all that he needs. Ifor can be released upon the payment of £250 but there is little chance of him returning to England before the war is over.
Informs Mr Evans that he has received a postcard from Ifor telling him that he has received £5 and a parcel containing marmite extract. He would like such a parcel to be sent each week with some biscuits.
He has just received a postcard from his son and is sending him a translation. He also briefly describes a visit to the prison camps made by Anderson and Hales he has read in the papers.
Describes in response to a letter from Mr Evans the conditions of camp life and Ifor's state of being. He also discusses an article he has written lately, his move tomorrow to London and representations he is making to reduce the medical standards for exchange.
January 1916. Mary Harold discusses their sons and how they expect them to return changed by their experience and the stories they will have when they return. One of Mary's sons was home for Christmas, he has finished his training and may be sent to France at any time. She also provides some information on a gentleman who can get money to prisoners. -- 24 January 1916. Mary is very sorry to hear of Mrs Evan's recent accident, but glad that it is not serious. She is grateful for the letter forwarded on to her from Mrs Dale, detailing how the Germans hold on to some of the things they send. Though she does mentioned that the Germans turned a blind eye to the prisoners celebrating the new year. She also details the progress they have made with the camp school and her son's recent attempts to develop his cooking. Then goes back to the subject of parcels.
Mary Harold is glad to hear that Mrs Evans receives an occasional postcard from her son but sorry that he is still a prisoner. She writes that she thinks it unreasonable for the Germans to ask for so much money to allow Ifor out on parole, and does not trust they won't re-arrest him once released. She recommends that Mrs Evans not pay out the money; they are well treated and Mary hopes that an exchange will soon be arranged. Mary wonders whether her son has received word of his brother's death, she expects it will be a great shock to him. She then explains that as difficult as their situation is it is not so bad as those that have family that are missing in action.
Mary is glad that Ifor is now in Berlin, she expects he will be much happier among British P.O.Ws. She has had a postcard (they are permitted 2 a week) from her son John who had left Nuremberg before they had received his letters. She says that sending money would not have done any good as they were not detained. They now wait on whether they will be permitted to receive the parcels they have sent. -- She is feeling better knowing that the British prisoners are now together, but has heard they have been taken to Berlin to deter the Russians from bombarding the city should they advance that far. She therefore hope an exchange will soon be arranged.
