Showing 282 results

A response to a letter Mrs Evans has passed on to Mary from Mrs Balls, a friend of hers; Mary hopes she gets news of her boy soon. She writes that John fears they will be detained through the winter and has requested she send a sturdy pair of boots. John has started a German class for sailors that trade between England and Hamburg, who are keen to learn and have something to pass the time.

Mary writes about their bread parcels and a garden John has described to her. She says that John has informed her that their conditions have improved considerably and they are in good spirits, though she worries that the monotony of camp life must cause problems. She then writes about smoking, some brothers of one of John's friends that have been killed in France and of persons (not named) missing in action.

Mary Harold has often thought of Mrs Evans and whether or not she had sent the parole money demanded by Germany for her son. Mrs Harold has received the same demand herself and had wired Mrs Evans about the matter but had the message blocked by the censors. She feels their sons may not understand why they won't send the money and that the foreign office wouldn't permit it anyway. Mrs Harold mentions that her second daughter has left the country with her little girl to be with her husband, who can't return to Britain due to the hostilities. She believes that their sons are better off in prison, believing that once the German population realises they have been misled, they will rise up in rebellion. Mary wonders if their sons are still in Nuremberg having read in the papers that those in Bavaria have been moved elsewhere.

Mary is writing about communications being cut, she mentions that not even the solders can write back home and mentions that some families with relatives imprisoned in other parts of Germany have had no word for 3 weeks. She attaches two newspaper cuttings on the treatment of prisoners in Germany, one mentions the temporary cutting of communications from the camp as a result of infringement of the regulations at Ruhleben camp by some prisoners.

Mrs Harold hopes that the introduction of home rule at Ruhleben is a sure sign that the Germans are running out of men. She writes that her youngest son is well and that the outdoor life seems to suit him. Her only other son will be enlisting next week; as he gives his father a considerable amount of help she doesn't know how they cope. Mary has also had word from one of her daughters that is staying in Rio de Geneva; she sends word of 2 friends that have been killed. Mary then describes a tragic incident on the front which left the university coy (company?) with only 12 members. She also mentions that the problems she is having with her eyes are getting worse.

Mary writes that she is pleased to see that Mrs Evan's shoulder is getting better, but sorry to hear that Ifor has hurt his knee. She had not heard the news of the civilians being returned home; only 7 British and 1 American with 4 women held back. Mary explains that she did not hear about the Swiss bread from John but from the papers, along with butter being sent for the prisoners being sold by the Germans. She explains about John having to take his decorations down and discusses his parcels. Her son in training is ill and not able to go to France, he may never go. This would greatly upset him as he wishes very much to go.

Message of thanks from Mary Harold for passing on word of the joint transmission of parcels. Due to being so far north they don't always receive the London papers until it is too late to act on the information contained. She then describes what she has sent and mentions that though they missed the joint transmission and are still in London, Mr Gaston has said he will do his best to ensure delivery. Mary feels it is risky sending things out when the solders aren't receiving things, but writes that they will just have to hope they will be delivered. Finally she hopes that teachers will be set free next.

Mary is once again writing about the situation surrounding the parcels they send to their sons in Germany. She also asks if Mrs Evans has received any letters asking for money for cash given to her boy. Mrs Harold and a number of other have received such requests. She also mentions that they currently have 600 soldiers in the area this weekend; 2 are staying at her house.

Mrs Harold is sending thanks for news of the bread Mrs Evans has sent to Germany. She also mentions that some of the boys are studying German and she has had requests for books to be sent. Apparently the detainees hear very little German and fear forgetting what they have already learnt. Mary also writes that her youngest son has enlisted.

Mary sends thanks for the newspaper cuttings Mrs Evans sent her. She finds it funny that they had both sent each other the same cuttings at the same time. The reason for the stoppage of the post from the prison camps, she understands to be the result of some prisoners attempting to send more postcards than the 2 a week they are permitted.

Mrs Harold is pleased to have Mrs Evans letter of the 27th. She is grateful to her for passing on the news that her boy is well and in good company. She writes that her son has been examined by a Doctor, that 2 Englishmen and he were found unfit for military service and may be let out of prison. Mary Harold has been very anxious about her son who is 25 and a teacher of German. She mentions a recent death in the family; her eldest son died 2 weeks previously in Huddersfield.

Mrs Harold writes that she feels it has been a long time since she has last had a note from Mrs Evans. She hopes that her shoulder is no longer giving her trouble. She conveys John's gratitude for the refills Mrs Evans send for his cooker, the ones she sent were stopped at London. Mary writes that he has requested his camera, but she will not send it as she thinks he will not get it. She mentions that the prisoners held a very successful Burns concert, but they have had to take down all their decorations and mentions that they are no longer permitted candles. Lastly Mary discusses the situation of their bread deliveries.

Mrs Harold is returning an enclosed newspaper cutting from Mrs Dale on the treatment of British prisoners. She is especially worried due to stories appearing in the paper about starvation but acknowledges they can't believe everything that is written in the papers.

Mary Harold sends her Christmas and new year wishes. She hopes Mrs Evans is still getting good news from Berlin. Last she heard John had not received any of the parcels she sent but that is to be expected.

Mary sends news of the parcels she has sent to her son and explains that she has been informed that their parcels arrive quicker than their postcards.

Mr Ken Hardie desires that Mr Price be informed that all particulars about Mr Ifor L. Evans have been forwarded to the American Consul in London. The US Consul has been informed that any telegram expenses will be promptly refunded.

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.

He explains that he is quite comfortable in Nuremburg but under no condition permitted to leave the city. Ifor fears he may have to winter in Nuremburg and requests that his parents send £25 on receipt of this letter. As direct communication between England and Germany is cut off, he explains how they should send the sum requested. He expresses hope for an exchange and explains that his parents can keep themselves informed by writing to the foreign office. Ifor goes on to say that he currently has a nice room at a bed and breakfast; he obtains his meals from 'one or other of the Vegetarian restaurants here'. Fortunately Ifor is not alone sharing the hotel with a number of other detained British subjects (named). He is in good health, exercises daily and is starting to work. Above all he asks his parents not to worry.

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.

Explains that he has delayed writing to her because he had hoped that he would have news that a friend of his (Willy Hesse) would be accompanying him in his tour. However Ifor learnt this morning that he would not be coming. He details the timetable for the rest of the trip to Suhl, which he expects to be in by 08 August. He promises to send a postcard each day but cautions that the postal service from the Bohemian forest is not of the best. Above all his parents should not worry. He supplies some dates and corresponding addresses which he hopes his mother will use to write to him. Ifor sends thanks for items his mother has sent him and provides details of Wechmar. He has spoken almost entirely in German during his holiday and made considerable progress.