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.
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.
January 1916. Mary Harold discusses their sons and how they expect them to return changed by their experience and the stories they will have when they return. One of Mary's sons was home for Christmas, he has finished his training and may be sent to France at any time. She also provides some information on a gentleman who can get money to prisoners. -- 24 January 1916. Mary is very sorry to hear of Mrs Evan's recent accident, but glad that it is not serious. She is grateful for the letter forwarded on to her from Mrs Dale, detailing how the Germans hold on to some of the things they send. Though she does mentioned that the Germans turned a blind eye to the prisoners celebrating the new year. She also details the progress they have made with the camp school and her son's recent attempts to develop his cooking. Then goes back to the subject of parcels.
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 is wondering if their boys will have any chance of getting home, having just received a letter from a gentleman who has just arrived back from Ruhleben. She informs Mrs Evans that she has just heard of the death of one of her neighbours eldest sons at Dardanelles. This had come as a shock as they had got the news in a letter from a friend (who had seen the news in the paper) sending their sympathises; they had not yet been notified by the war office.
Mary Harold is glad to hear that Mrs Evans receives an occasional postcard from her son but sorry that he is still a prisoner. She writes that she thinks it unreasonable for the Germans to ask for so much money to allow Ifor out on parole, and does not trust they won't re-arrest him once released. She recommends that Mrs Evans not pay out the money; they are well treated and Mary hopes that an exchange will soon be arranged. Mary wonders whether her son has received word of his brother's death, she expects it will be a great shock to him. She then explains that as difficult as their situation is it is not so bad as those that have family that are missing in action.
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.
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 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.
Mary Harold has received a cheerful letter from John, they are making the most of their circumstances. She mentions that they are not permitted to receive cakes or sweets and hopes John has been permitted to have his birthday parcel. She has also just heard news of another Maeduff boy's death; killed by his own grenade. Mary writes that she hopes Mrs Evan's friends have had good news about their boys, saying how terrible it is to have someone missing in action.
After 4 weeks of not receiving any word from John, Mary has received 3 postcards and a letter. She hopes Mrs Evans has also received word from Ifor by now. She discusses the sorry state of how their mail is treated and the parcel situation. Then Mary moves on to writing about their sons situation as prisoners in Germany and describes how she is occupying herself, as well as helping others. For example she provides some details or a recent neighbours nervous breakdown.
Mary is sending thanks for the newspaper cuttings Mrs Evans has sent. She is concerned that she has not received any postcards of late from John, fearing especially that he has tried to send too many and his cards are being held back. Mary is also sorry to hear that Mrs Davies is ill. Still she remains optimistic that nothing is seriously wrong. Mary also brings up the subject of all the young men that are being killed and wounded in the war.
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 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.
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.
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.
