Dangos 282 canlyniad

Mentions that it has been 2 weeks since he last heard from her, but acknowledges this may well be down to the postal system. Ifor sends acknowledgements for parcels received but regrettably some have been inadequate. He asks his Mum to send him some coal tar soap and Kolynes.

2nd postcard of this date. There is still at least 15 months before their release, Ifor is convinced. Ifor has taken up golf and would like his clubs sent out to him. This has been permitted for his fellows and the Central Committee allows 6 new balls every 3 months. Finally he would like the monthly allowing reduced from £3 to 30/-.

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.

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.

In reply to his father's letter of 16 October 1917. In response he acknowledges parcels as well as bank remittances and discusses possible changes to both. Ifor expresses his sorrow at hearing the news of E. G. Coote's death and mentions a serious (but not fatal) injury suffered by the professor (B. J. Dale). He congratulates his father on his successful concert and mentions he is having difficulty reconciling the death of his grandmother. Next he moves on to the subject of his parents moving house. Ifor mentions the 2 alternatives that they are considering, Aberdare (or Abwydeodd) and Swansea. He suggests that Aberystwyth may suit his proposed business plans as well or better than Aberdare. Moving on to the subject of Ifor's future; he mentions that had he decided on the Civil Service he would be obliged to study at Cambridge; should he choose India he will be subject to a long exile (not appealing given his recent experience); should he pick law Aberystwyth will do just as well, would allow him 3 years at home and be cheaper. Further Ifor mentions that he feels his future lies in his own 'little country'. Bangor would do just as well but Ifor writes that he would prefer Aberystwyth. He asks his father what his mother's opinion would be.

Ifor discusses his wish to be back home with his family and his fears that the war may last years yet. Then briefly discusses his parcel deliveries.

Ifor starts with acknowledging parcels received. He writes that he has not been to the Sanatorium to see B. J. Dale since the accident, though Macmillan has gotten permission to visit him on 2 occasions. However Ifor was fortunate in being able to see him on his 2nd visit to the camp since his accident; he looks well and is considerably better. Ifor then discusses the prospect of taking an external London Degree; he is currently working towards his Intermediate B.Sc (Economics) which he thinks will be more useful than an arts Degree, if more work. He then informs his father that he has ordered books to the value of nearly £3, which his father will be liable for payment. However he insists that they are essential for his work towards the London syllabus and mentions he may have the opportunity to sit the examination in Germany next July. Ifor mentions that his proposals re. Aberystwyth may have startled him somewhat and he awaits his reply. He also feels his mother is not very comfortable at 45 Aberdare and hopes the arrangement is temporary. He finishes with writing that he is currently spending an hour per week with the great master Johann Sebastian Bach in the camp music shed and sends his thanks for Miss B. Richards.

Acknowledges parcels but in not as many as previously. He finds it surprising that the 2 he has received are at the maximum weight allowance and does not think they are worth what his father pays for them. Ifor has sent a letter recommending parcels from France; J. F. Evans receives Heinz goods from Penarth and complains about Selfridge's. Necessity has forced Ifor to abandon his vegetarianism; asks for ham and bacon. Ifor details his golf and the lessons he has been taking, he believes this should prove advantageous when he goes to Cambridge; his knee and temperament rules out rougher sports. He will therefore be very grateful for his clubs and for half a dozen balls every 3 months. He does not want his father to worry about his knee. He details the trouble he is recently had and the treatment he has had. B. J. Dale's accident has proven more serious but he too is on the mend. A tobacco parcel has recently arrived though Ifor is surprised the mixture his mother has sent is not nicotine free; it would appear that the mixture is too strong for Ifor. He would like to make changes to his tobacco order and asks for 100 nice cigarettes.

Ifor writes at length about his feelings for his recently deceased grandmother; regretting that he will not be able to demonstrate in person the Welsh that he has learnt (his grandmother cared deeply for the Welsh language). He covers again his wishes to come home and describes his disappointment with The Hague. Ifor comments that Selfridge's parcels have improved and lists some items he would appreciate and mentions an increased allowance. He then provides a list of acknowledgements of goods received. Apparently his mother's parcel of 07 September 1917 is not yet to hand as the August Central Committee thought she was sending too much soap. The letter finishes with Ifor discussing his parent's decision to move in to a Bungalow, which he prefers to a move to Swansea.

The question uppermost in Ifor's and the minds of his fellow prisoners is will they be home for Christmas; their chances are looking good. Events are moving forward quickly but Ifor cautions that experience has taught them not to get too optimistic. Ifor expects their reunion to be a joyous one and details is expectation of going down to the polling booth to vote with his parents. Reading the paper takes up time Ifor himself believes should be spent on more serious work. He thinks himself ready for the exam next June but wonders whether it would be worth his while to go to any University. Still law still appeals to him most of all though he hopes to discuss this more once he returns home.

Ifor writes to his mother about the recent death of his grandmother.

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.

Discusses parcels (the Selfridge's are improving) and a bank transaction that Ifor thinks may have gone wrong.

Ifor's life continues much as usual. His hours of service have been cut to 8 conversations a week. He is in good health and can work almost as well as before the war. Ifor fancies that he will be ready for the examination on Constitutional law as well as the other subjects. However he does not find coaching by correspondence to be satisfactory. He then discusses and explains the marks he has received for his compositions. States that he is gradually succeeding in memorising the functions of administrators, from Archbishops to Justices of the Peace. Ifor encloses a post card to be sent by his parents in respect to his application to the University of London and requests his parents arrange for someone well deposed to him to provide a certificate of good conduct for him. He writes that he is quite certain that Michenean was killed in 1915, a friend of his has endeavoured to find out further information and not succeeded. Ifor will return home almost immediately after Whitsum and states that David has not made the progress with his French he had anticipated. He describes the friends he has recently met and those he hopes to see shortly. He was in Paris last Sunday and attended a very enjoyable concert. He will go again next Saturday to hear 2 concerts by the New York Symphony Orchestra.

Informs his parents that they are just leaving Dresden for the Czechoslovak frontier by Elbe Steamer. They found Dresden appealing enough to stay an extra day.

Sent from Prague. Ifor describes what he declares to be the logical outcome of superstition; a church 30 miles from Prague decorated in skulls and bones (depicted on the card).

Informs that Mr Ifor Leslie Evans is a guest of the citizens of Leith upon his return from Germany. Smith's Restaurant and Rooms, Duke Street have been reserved as a "Hospitality House" where meals will be served and railway tickets issued.

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.

Describes Prague as magnificent and the weather as fairly good. Ifor will stay until Saturday next before heading to Strbske Pleso.