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In reply to ILE. The writer states he is currently busy studying French, specifically the essays of Montaigne, whose philosophy he likes, but whose style he finds archaic and incorrect. There is not much new to say about events at the Lycée. Fat Laborde has gone to Paris to enter St. Louis to prepare for joining the navy in three years time. The writer is working hard, though not as much as in the first semester, as he has been a little distracted with writing literary prose and poetry. He goes to Paris once a month to do something disreputable. This might scandalize ILE, but what is a man to do? He has to divert himself somehow. There is a new Scottish boy who as yet does not speak a word of French. He is quite rich and has been living it up. The principal has remonstrated with him several times, but always to no avail. And he has a saying that the French are "no more pigs" than the others. The writer is getting bored at the Lycée as he has been here for four years. Hopefully at Easter he will go to Paris to attend the Lycée Carnot, with the old Principal who was so much fun. He is only interested in his studies now so he can go to Paris where there is so much binging, he will forget about work. He has heard ILE is off to Germany for his studies. He hopes that ILE will write him from time to relate his experiences of the Germans and their habits.

Glad to hear ILE's news after these last five years. His French is excellent. He addresses ILE with tu as this is common usage amongst comrades, especially in the army. He is glad to hear that the political debacle gives ILE no pleasure. The military debacle neither. The writer and his fellow soldiers were en route to the front towards Nachy for the 'famous' attack that never took place because the colonel came past in his automobile crying out to us the good news. The last three months of the war under the command of General Mangin have been hard. Perhaps ILE knows that the general has a bad reputation. The writer does not know whether the German army deserved its defeat. Perhaps all that happened was deserved. In the army we have always considered that the enemy troops defended themselves tenaciously until the very end. We were, after three months of pursuit, in front of their famous Hermann Stellung at the end of last October and the Prussian Troops defended it with their usual courage and their artillery gave a good and precise account of itself. As for the writer, he will not be demobilized until June or July. Meanwhile they are having a capital time in the Alsace. If ILE is in France in six months perhaps they could meet, but in these times nothing is certain. The writer ends by speculating whether in the future he will go to study in Paris or Edinburgh.

He was delighted to hear from Ifor and wishes he was in a position to accept his offer to spend a weekend with him and his parents. However his future plans are currently uncertain and he is unable to consider anything of the kind at present. Mr Dale explains that he has plans to visit Gibraltar 14-20 January, though has had trouble getting his passport. So much so that he dare not leave town in case he is summoned to attend the Passport Office. He will be travelling overland via Paris and Madrid; he will return via Rome and Paris. He writes that all this travelling has given him an excuse to retire from his post at St Stephen's. He asks what Ifor is planning to do with himself before saying that if he thinks of coming to town before he leaves, he will be most welcome to stay.

How is ILE? Writer has gone to war and has been at the frontlines since the beginning. He has experienced great misfortunes, having lost his brother, mother and little daughter. The only person left to him in the world is his wife. He asks ILE's opinion of the war and states that England has good reasons for pursuing its participation in the war with vigour. Morale is excellent. He awaits ILE's letter impatiently.

Detailing definitive arrangement for Ifor's trip to Germany. He details costs and suggest a route of travel; provides advice on how best to prepare and the things he should bring with him.

08 September 1914. Letter from J. Towyn Jones expressing his sympathy for the circumstances Ifor and his parents find themselves in. -- 20 October 1914. Letter in reply to Mr Evans letter to Mr David Thomas concerning his son. It gives the legal opinion of the Foreign Office that caution money should not be paid out for prisoners. -- 11 November 1914. Letter from Thomas Cook and Son, Bankers and Tourist Agents. Confirms they have received instructions for transferring 100 marks to Ifor L. Evans. -- 12 November 1914. Letter from J Keir Hardie regarding the caution money required for Ifor's release. -- 25 November 1914. Letter from Equ A. Crowe stating that he has been directed by Sir E. Grey to write that the United States Ambassador to Berlin has been requested to make enquiries and in some cases representations in cases where bail has been demanded. He write that under the circumstances money should not be sent. -- 27 November 1914. Letter from the Foreign Office stating that all that can be done via the United States embassy. It also states that it seems likely that the prisoners have been transferred to a prison camp, likely Ruhleben.

Writes that he would like to hear any news Mr Evans hears about his son. Mr Sibly writes that the war will upset the career that Ifor planned for himself, but hopes his study of modern languages continues. He then goes on to disagree with a statement that Mr Evans had made stating that European Civilisation had broken down entirely. Discussing what he believes to be the causes of the present war and what is likely to bring their country to ruin in the long run.

Writing to Mr Evans with regard to their previous correspondence during 1916 and 1917 about Ifor. He asks that if his son is still considering a university career, that Mr Evans contact him at his convenience. So his case can be considered in the recommendation process.

Enclosing material related to Ifor in case Mr Evans would like to preserve it.

In reply to Mr Evans note he is requesting further information to better assist with his son's case. He states that this is the first case he has heard of caution money being demanded.

Officially stating that Mr I. Leslie Evans is interred as a civilian prisoner of war in Germany.

Sending thanks to Mr Evans for supplying him with Ifor's current address, which he did not have. He knew Ifor was a prisoner of war but had not heard any news for 6 months. They have always been good friends and spent 4 months together in Germany. He hopes they will be in correspondence for a long time.

Sending thanks for news of Ifor.

Expressing condolences over Ifor's detainment in Germany.

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.

January 1915. Mary Harold is wondering whether Ifor has received any of parcels sent out to him, having received 2 postcards from John claiming not to have had any. She has contacted Mr Gaston requesting more information but received no reply as yet. Mary has sent another parcel for John addressed to Ifor, in case he should be away, having dispatched letters to both explaining the situation. -- 02 February 1915. Mrs Harold sends thanks for news on the parcels sent to their boys in Germany and exchanges the information she has received. She is grateful for the newspaper cuttings sent by Mrs Evans regarding prisoners of war, which she had not seen. Mary is keeping copies of the papers for her son so he can read what has transpired in his absence. Mary wishes it were possible for the two of them to meet and discuss the situation together, she finds it difficult not having anyone nearby in the same situation. She has heard of a Russian girl and shared classes with her son in Marburg than has never been heard of since she left to go home.

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.

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 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.

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.