A reply to a letter from Mr Evans. He writes that it was a great shock to his father to learn that Ifor was still detained with the civilian police. They were under the understanding that all the prisoners were to be moved to an encampment. Mr Warren explains that when he last saw Ifor he was not in Solitary confinement, as he had been in his first 3 days of detention. Furthermore he believes that judging from what Ifor says about being allowed out for 3 or 4 hours a day, discipline must have been relaxed somewhat.
Writes that his friend Mrs Kidd who had written to Herr Leisterer in her mother's maiden name has received the enclosed postcard (not present) in return. She has thoughtfully provided a translation. Herr Leisterer has done everything in his power for Ifor. Mr Ciffin writes that he would send another card out to Ifor if thought advisable. Alternatively he could write to the American Consul in Nuremberg. He writes that several letters were received from Germany in Linares but they have taken some time to get there. He mentions that there is considerable unemployment in Linares, which he puts to several mines and works having shut down. The government has opened its mines in response and put men to work on the road. They get their English papers but they are irregular (sometimes 3 or 4 at a time). The Spanish papers are fairly impartial as news is taken from all sources, though the leading articles tend to favour the allies. Mr Ciffin writes that things aren't too cheerful in this English Colony; some men are on half pay and doing nothing; several families are hung up in England and intend on making no effort to return. He wishes he had joined them as he now teaches a school which is half full and finds it no easier than when it was full. The French and German colonies are worse off as all their serviceable men have left for the front.
Writes that due to unpleasant enquiries he received from the Home Office, he has decided he must discontinue forwarding letters between relatives and friends. The authorities believe it may be abused to the disadvantage of England. He writes that the British Legation will be willing to receive and forward letters.
Letter from a gentlemen who claims to have been arrested alongside Ifor Evans on 06 August 1914. He describes how they were treated at the prison; they were handled roughly at first but conditions soon improved. Then explains that he had been released, after 3 examinations by the military Doctor had confirmed he was unfit for service. He writes that Ifor is cheerful and with other Englishmen. He says that he is under the impression that Ifor was on a cycling trip when first arrested, but then was set free, moved on to Nuremberg and arrested again. He is surprised Ifor is being detained, thinking him too young for military service. Fred expects that if the prisoners are not released that they will be moved on to a fortress somewhere. They would have their freedom but not be permitted outside a certain limit. This would be an improvement he writes.
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.
He hopes to learn that ILE has been freed. He was sorry to hear ILE was still being held by those damn Germans. ILE is a brave boy for telling his parents not to worry about his fate. This does not surprise the writer in the least about ILE. He will not let himself be beat down. He knows that to fight these enemies, he must preserve his physical and moral strength. He is also helped by the fact that he is not alone. He and his friends mutually support each other. One has inner resources to fall back on when one is young. ILE will be freed and the writer hopes that ILE's mother will not have long to wait anymore before this happiness will come to pass. The writer has received good news from George [his son]. Nothing dangerous. Georges would have preferred to have been an interpreter, but the medical service is one of the few services where one is not allowed to change one's post once assigned to it. There have been many ill this last month, but he is in good health. He hopes to talk to her again soon about ILE.
ILE's family is remembered by the writer and his family and they take part in their anguish over ILE's fate. He thanks ILE's mother for her letter and her concern over Georges [the writer's son]. One must be indulgent to our soldiers and forgive them faults that would otherwise be inexcusable. Georges left for the front 21 February. The start was not too hard, but afterwards he was sent to one of the most dangerous parts, from which he emerged unhurt. Thank God! Now he is again in a region with frequent battles. The courage of our brave soldiers is marvellous and they will win in the end. Do not doubt this. But how sad all this is at the same time. So many sufferings, so many chagrins. One must have confidence. The enemy is a coward, once they feel themselves beaten and only the fear of retaliation prevents them from hurting their prisoners. Send best wishes to Leslie and that he may preserve his courage and good health during his captivity. The writer's daughter will pray for him. All need God's help during this time.
The writer's son has not received news about ILE for a long time. The writer and his family are anxious to know what has happened to him. They get news from time to time of some young Englishmen being released and returned to their families. It would be happy news if ILE was one of them. They hope ILE will be released from his captivity at the same time this horrible war ends. The writer's son still fulfils the same role as at the beginning of the war in the medical corps and is not in immediate physical danger. He does his best to relieve suffering and has plenty of ill people on his hands. He has borne himself well. Hope ILE's mother's sufferings will be at an end soon.
Dear Madame, I thank you that you have had the good thought of writing to me. We all have the greatest sympathy for your poor Leslie. We are also very sad to hear that he has been a prisoner of the accursed Germans for the last two months. Remain confident, Madam, that your disquiet will soon be settled and a prisoner exchange will allow you to be reunited with your son as soon as possible. We wish this from the bottom of our hearts and hope for speedy negotiations and a good result. I thank you for your interest in the fate of Georges. He is a nurse and has not been sent to the front. We hope he will escape danger. I have told him what has happened to his friend Leslie and he will write to you as well. [Address of son]. As for us we are well. Our land has not received an unwelcome visit from the Germans, but we have left it nonetheless. My husband, my daughter and I are spending several weeks in Chartres where I have family as well. Please keep us informed of any new developments, which we anxiously await. I hope this letter will be faster than yours. I only received it this morning and am replying immediately. We are well aware of your anguish and send you our best wishes.
Glad to hear ILE's news after these last five years. His French is excellent. He addresses ILE with tu as this is common usage amongst comrades, especially in the army. He is glad to hear that the political debacle gives ILE no pleasure. The military debacle neither. The writer and his fellow soldiers were en route to the front towards Nachy for the 'famous' attack that never took place because the colonel came past in his automobile crying out to us the good news. The last three months of the war under the command of General Mangin have been hard. Perhaps ILE knows that the general has a bad reputation. The writer does not know whether the German army deserved its defeat. Perhaps all that happened was deserved. In the army we have always considered that the enemy troops defended themselves tenaciously until the very end. We were, after three months of pursuit, in front of their famous Hermann Stellung at the end of last October and the Prussian Troops defended it with their usual courage and their artillery gave a good and precise account of itself. As for the writer, he will not be demobilized until June or July. Meanwhile they are having a capital time in the Alsace. If ILE is in France in six months perhaps they could meet, but in these times nothing is certain. The writer ends by speculating whether in the future he will go to study in Paris or Edinburgh.
Something about a reply he has received to a letter about Ifor which he encloses. He hopes that the conditions apply to Ifor (likely some sort of exchange).
Her cousin Borgmastaren Pettenson has received a postcard from Ifor L. Evans dated 11 October 1914. The card requested that his parents be informed that he is quite well and that he requests that they send £150 (3000 marks) to the American Consul as security for his release. He is currently in Nuremberg.
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.
Acknowledges receipt of communication from Mr W. J. Evans and informs him that a dispatch from the foreign office dated 08 October 1914 states that they are not to take part in the transmission of letter to persons in enemy or neutral countries. They're also under no circumstances to forward money.
