Ifor acknowledges a postcard he has received from her dated 24 May 1917; the 1st communication he has received for more than 3 weeks. He acknowledges parcels received commenting that they are excellent but complains they lack the ingredients for a serious meal. He then complains about his suppliers. He mentions new hope arising from a meeting at the Hague. He then describes how they can get used to captivity and so long as their parcels arrive they can live fairly comfortably. However homesickness and boredom is an issue. Ifor then asks for news of a number of people (named) and writes how he is glad Willie has recovered from his wounds. He asks his mother to see if Willie can manage to write to him directly. The Welsh society is progressing along, but the heat of late is sapping people's energy. The temperature makes it difficult for Ifor to work but he is getting some reading done and is engrossed in some Shakespeare. He has also started Spanish classes and is continuing to work with Masterman's class. He asks how Gu is keeping, the censor would not let his last card in Welsh past. Ifor has received a letter from Mr Griffiths and will reply to him soon. Ifor asks his mother to pass on his kindest regards to Mrs Dale and explains he sees B. J. quite often and passes on news of him. He finally mentions 'papa' Allen who has been unwell of late and unlucky with previous exchanges. He finishes with asking for coal tar soap and Kolynes.
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.
Reply to his father's letter of 04 September 1917. He hopes is father's concert will be a success but wonders why they are singing the Hymn of Praise. Ifor hopes the choir will be singing to Welsh words, which he feels will result in a better performance than if they sang in English. As to their future home; Ifor is attached to his family not the building they live in, however he feels that Swansea is more 'pseudo' than Aberdare.
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.
He thanks her for her postcards and the postal order she sent. He goes on to state that he has not received the parcel of clothing sent by Mr Gaston. Ifor writes that Mr Dale and he are well but work is not possible; his quarters are heated and provide a degree of comfort. Evans finishes by explaining that he had hoped to be home for Christmas but feels it is unlikely.
He writes that he has been in Ruhleben for just over a week. Ifor would be very grateful to feel that his parents do not worry about him. He has Messrs Dale and Heyhesdon(?) for company, they are all beginning to settle down. Ifor writes that he has purchased some materials to make some clogs and a sleeping bag in preparation for the coming cold.
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.
He writes that they were very glad to receive his postcard and to learn he is as comfortable can be expected given the circumstances. His father asks if he should send 'this 3000 marks'. If so he should find out where it is to be sent and to get confirmation that it is a guarantee which will be returned following the end of the war. Ifor's father finishes the letter by stating that he trusts his son will do what is right and that all are well at home.
Ifor expects to leave on 01 June 1920 and expects to arrive in London on the 2nd or the 3rd. The lamb (David) will be with him and Ifor will be glad to hand him over to his parents when he arrives. He hopes to see B. J. Dale, "Papa" Allen and someone else that he will not name. Therefore he expects to be back home on 05 June 1920. Ifor will be pleased if his parents silver celebration coincides with his stay in London but asks that they not let him interfere with their plans if not. He may go to the country for a while as his finances and his exam will not permit him a long stay in London. Another option suggested by Ifor is that his father visit Paris, he provides details on how this could be done and what they might do while he is there. He also discusses stock and his expectation of a good margin of profit in Dutch bonds. David's learning of French has been a miserable failure and Ifor outlines his frustrations with the boy. As well as congratulating his mother for her efforts on behalf of starving children.
Ifor hopes that before his father gets this letter that he will have seen "Papa" Allen. The year has ended well for Ruhlebenites as on Boxing Day a list of the 1st batch of over 45s to be sent home was posted. Over 2 years worth of negotiations has finally produced results. "Papa" Allen's place is to be filled by "Billie" Lyons a London Irish lad two years Ifor's junior. Ifor writes that they get on well; he is giving Billie French lessons. Ifor is still keeping the Celtic section of the school going even though boredom is affecting attendance. He requests an increase in the money his father sends, due to the falling value of the pound to the mark. He finishes with discussing parcels; apparently private parcels are likely to be stopped soon.
Ifor writes from the investigatory prison in Neurenburg. ILE thanks him for his card. Please inform ILE's father that he is well, but that he finds himself held as a prisoner in Neurenburg. Could he send 25 pounds to the American Consul there, who will pass the money on to ILE. Could he also send 3 cards to Mrs. Dale, Hughes & Harold to inform them that their sons are all well, but also imprisoned here in Neurenburg. Things are not going too badly, ILE has English friends here.
Thanks for letter received today. Returning a card instead of a letter as it is more certain to be received. 3000 marks is wanted to release ILE from confinement. ILE is well and cannot complain about his treatment, but he longs to be released. The prisoners are allowed to walk in the court every day for 3 hours and they can get supplies from the prison or the town. The Consul takes care of them. Please greet his parents.
Translation from Welsh: -- Eight years ago today I was held in Germany. -- My dear Father -- Here I am on my travels once again. I arrived here yesterday and was welcomed at the station by the brother of one of my friends in Praha. He came with me through the town this morning and up to the Spilberk (Spielberg), a very famous old prison under the Hapsburg rule. -- With much love -- Ifor.
From Nuremberg. Thanks for postcard. Unfortunately ILE has to inform him he is being held as a prisoner of war in Nuremberg. He hopes to be released in some days. Otherwise he is well. Please send this news on to his father. He fears to die here before the end of the war.
