Mr Dale writes to inform Mr and Mrs Evans that he has been included in the list of prisoners transferred from Ruhleben to Holland. He has taken this opportunity to send Ifor's parents a few lines informing them that their son is well and in good spirits. He writes that he wishes there was some hope of Ifor being transferred soon, but it would appear that the exchange was limited to those who had suffered either mentally or physically. He says that in his case he is physically fit but writes that not all is as it should be; Mr Dale expects to get better treatment now he is in Holland. Mr Dale is finding the Hague a very pleasant place and will be going to see an opera (Madam Butterfly) for the first time in 4 years. He says that Mr and Mrs Evans need not be anxious about Ifor as Ruhleben is a very different place to what it was 1914-15. Though he writes that most of the improvements have been implemented and paid for by the interned themselves. The best that can be said of the Germans is that they left them alone. Mr Dale goes on write about Ifor's work in the camp school, claiming that everyone that has ever had anything to do with him has nothing but the highest opinion of his abilities. He hopes to pick up his friendship with Ifor again in the near future.
Says all is well and that he is migrating to another place (provides address-difficult to read). Asks if Ifor is still in Bavaria. "Allied forces" is written across the top left hand corner of the card.
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.
Michele writes that she has received a postcard from Ifor and in the belief that he cannot write to his parents directly, is passing word to them that he is well. She recommends that if his parents wish to try writing to Ifor that they should do so in German.
She has recently received a postcard from her son Harry and is reporting their boys are well and appear to be getting their parcels. Mrs Davies writes that she is getting better and is able to get downstairs some days. Her eldest son Dick has just had his commission having been given an excellent report from his commanding officer.
Encloses a letter he has received from Mr Thorne which details the Hague agreement under which the Dutch have undertaken to provide accommodation for prisoners of war.
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.
In reply to Mrs Evans letter of 02 August encloses letters from Mr G. R. Thorne and Mr Kannreuther of Birmingham (the Dutch Consular), as well as copies of letters he has sent them. They concern arranging for Ifor L. Evans to be part of a prisoner exchange.
Harper, Holland. Thorne, G. R. Kannreuther, Mr. Dutch Consular.
Thanks ILE's mother for her card, and taking an interest. ILE states that his mother speaks French, so he can use his maternal language, forgive him the momentary lack of his paternal language. ILE sends his love.
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.
Describing life at the front and some 8 days leave from the front that he has had due to illness in January. He is currently present as a surgeon linked to an infantry regiment at the front.
She writes that she sympathises with Mrs Evans having her only son taken from her and that she knows she sympathises with them also. She hopes their sons have met each other. She writes that as Ifor is musical he must have taken part in the xmas performance. Mrs Darnell says that she is getting regular postcards now and her boys are well though they long for home; it is especially difficult for her eldest who had just become engaged shortly before leaving home.
Writes how strange it is that Ifor has ended up in the very same place as a Mr D. Evans who had stayed with John on his way back to Germany. He is sure that they will make each other's acquaintance soon. Mr Rees has only just recently heard from Mr D. Evans. He has asked for many things so John thinks they are in great straits; he doubts he will get anything he sends. John writes that the war is terrible; the sight of a Red Cross Ambulance train the previous Tuesday made him feel sick.
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.
Writes that she regrets not being able to supply further information. She states that other Englishmen have been released after a short arrest and cannot say why Ifor has been detained. Louise writes that the prisoners at Nuremberg are being well treated so Mrs Evans does not have any cause for concern. She cannot suggest a means of communicating with Ifor or sending the money requested. However she provides the details of the American minister at the Hague who may be able to help.
