Dangos 83 canlyniad

Sent on the day of his 3rd anniversary of leaving home, writing how no one expected him to be gone for this long. He is well and mentions having been vaccinated a fortnight previously. Monotony is their greatest enemy. He describes a concert they held on St David's day and a visit he made to the Rubhleben stage. Ifor writes how he was interested to hear of his father's visit to Mr D. James, who he would like to see himself when he returns home. Also interested in his mother's trip to London to arrange an exchange of civilian prisoners, but fears she will not be successful. Ifor hopes his grandmother is keeping well and has received the postcards he sent (in Welsh). He is reading some of Milton's poems, a task he is finding difficult but worthwhile. Ifor is also part of Mr Masterman's Modern History class. Ifor further discusses how he is keeping the Scholarship exam in mind. He asks his mother to find out from a Mr Scott whether he could take History and offer French only (not German) as an extra subject in the modern language exam. He further explains that he is considering taking the Inter London External but doubts if it will be worthwhile. The parcels being sent by Selfridges are excellent, but he only gets 2 a week. He is not as well provided for as he has been previously but the Danish bread is arriving regularly and is a vast improvement on the Swiss. J. F. Evans will be visiting him for tea tonight.

Ifor is distressed to learn that she has not received any news from him lately and wishes this form of communication could be discarded altogether. He has received parcel no.18, their quality is improving; bread has arrived to the letter R but he has in hand only 1 tobacco package. He especially appreciated receiving a package of clothes and boots.

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.

His father's letter of 08 July 1917 has arrived and Ifor discusses the information on the syllabus for the entrance examination he has supplied. Ifor has not done any work for the last 4 weeks having spent the time walking round and round the race course (within which the camp is located). Though he sends details of the reading he has been doing. Ifor then discusses his wish to visit the Beacons district once again, a desire that appears to have been prompted by a visit by his parents; he requests that his mother try to send some photographs of the area. He then informs his father that he was given up cigarettes but only smokes 'hard tobacco' now and requests a change in his tobacco order. He acknowledges parcels received, asks for Coal Tar soap and Kolynes. The only needs he has for clothing are breeches, a strong pair of boots, towels and handkerchiefs. Following he thanks his father for the remittance made to Das Thomas's family and then requests further remittances be made to the bank. Ifor discusses a special meal they have had recently and mentions how he is no longer a strict vegetarian. Next he goes on to discuss his family and longing to be home. He provides a list of books he would like; The Cambridge County Geography of Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, Ymadawiad Arthur and Gorchest Wil by T. Gwynn.

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/-.

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.

Sent from Koburn. Informs that her has commenced the last leg of his tour and details his current location.

Sent from Bamberg. Informs her that he has safely arrived in Bamberg after an interesting day; Ifor has had a tire punctured and experienced miserable weather.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Ifor discusses the loss of his dog and agrees his parents were right to have him put down.

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.

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

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 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.