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Letter from Ifor to his mother,

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.

Letter from Ifor to his father,

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.

Postcard from Ifor to his mother,

Confirming receipt of a parcel containing booker. The bread he receives is bad again and he asks her not to send any more, it angers him to have to throw it away; even Whiteley's bread is bad. Around 4 months ago he received a parcel from American Express but has not had anything delivered since. He asks his Mum not to send anything via them again. Ifor is resigned to being kept detained until next August and asks for plenty of biscuits (plain and wholesome) which he depends on.

Postcard from Ifor to his father,

Informing of the deliveries; a parcel on 07 September 1915 from Whiteley's dated 17 August 1915, the bread within being rotten; a parcel from choir on 30 August 1915; 2 postcards from home on 30 August 1915; on the 10 September 2 cards from his father dated 2 postcards from his father dated 01 and 03 August 1915. He sends thanks and promises to write tomorrow. Ifor then asks for a range of books: Economic History by Meredith, Cambridge Curriculum in Economic, it's purpose and plan by Marshall and his Cambridge Student's Handbook. Mr Masterman will be supervising his work.

Postcard from Ifor to his mother,

Lists the parcels he has received; a 2nd bread parcel from Switzerland; 2 parcels from his mother dated 25 September 1915 and 05 October 1915; 2 parcels H and P. Ifor describes that they woke up two days ago to discover snow several meters deep had fallen. It has since been very cold. He then expresses his hope that his parents have sent him a warm pair of gloves and a woollen helmet.

Postcard from Ifor to his father,

He is thanking his Dad for spending so much time on an 'unfortunate and undeserving son'. Following on he writes that he should not worry if the mail becomes irregular, he shall write regularly all the same. Ifor requests to have his Student's Handbook to Cambridge sent to him as well as New Cambridge Curriculum in Economics, it's Purpose and Plan by Marshall. The card finishes with 'poor old prince'.

Postcard from Ifor to his mother,

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.

Letters from Karl Seifert and Leisterer Frase?,

18 March 1921 - Letter from Karl Seifert; (son-in-law of writer next letter), who appears to be the owner of the pension that ILE was staying in at the start of the war before he was imprisoned). -- 17 March 1921 - Letter from Leisterer Frase?: ILE's letter gave them all joy. Happy to overhear ILE has overcome his war sufferings and that he should be able to take up his studies again in his home country. The writer and his family are astonished at the quality of his German. The writer agrees with ILE's political opinions. He is a democrat and believes that only a good democratic government can help Germany recover from its misfortunes. The evil war has also affected our family. The pension has been affected by the bad economy and the pension rooms have now been turned into homes. In one of them my son-in-law, Karl Seifert lives with my daughter Elli. Their small son, Walter (the enclosed picture) is the third person in their home. Karl lost his left foot during the war and was an English prisoner of war for a long time. He can walk well on his artificial foot - up to 15 kilometres. After being wounded several times, but always recovering, Gotthard ended up as a French prisoner of war. He returned in an enfeebled state in February 1920, but recovered fast under our care. He has had to quit his university studies, as circumstances have forced him to take up a job to support himself. He is an intern in a trading company in Mannheim. Little Helmut is now a head taller than the writer. Shortly before the war ended he had to become a soldier, but he came back as healthy as he went in. He has decided to become a land surveyor and is studying geodesy at the University in Bonn. The writer and his wife are doing fine, but his hair has become gray because of the times. He still has his job at the Institute and Karl, the writer's son-in-law, has been appointed study advisor at the Real Schule. In comparison to the past the writer and his family only have a third of their income. They can no longer afford a maid, so the writer and his wife are doing jobs at their age that they have never needed to do before. They, as teachers, like all civil servants are economically worse and worse off. Soon their small savings from earlier times will have run out, and what will happen then to find ways or means to better the situation of the former middle classes. The Germans are prepared to meet the just demands of the Entente, but they hope that the victors will be able to distinguish what is possible and what is impossible in the time frame allotted, so that it will be possible for the mutual trust between the peoples to grow again. The speech of Lloyd George in the House of Commons on the Upper Silesian question has somewhat raised the low mood in Germany. Let's hope these hopeful words will be matched by deeds, so that the Poles will not steal the land that has belonged to Germany for the last 2000 years. The writer agrees with ILE that politics is a pastime of the devil. He has good memories of ILE's time with them. Inclosed photograph with Greetings from Walter (the Baby on the photograph).

Seifert, Karl. Frase, Leisterer.

Letter from W. J. Evans to Dr Hoyle,

He writes that Sir Alfred Moud has been making enquiries regarding the payment of "Caution Money" to obtain Ifor's release in Nuremberg. He reports that the Foreign Office is strongly opposed to such payments, fearing it will lead to all British prisoners held in Germany being blackmailed. Mr Evans writes that while it is difficult not being able to help Ifor, he agrees with their view. Mr Evans is under the impression (from information given by a private source) that Ifor is the only British person still imprisoned. He is at a loss as to why this may be so; he has not heard from Ifor for over 3 weeks. He has also not heard of the Germans asking for such payments for either B. J. Dale or Dr Haufse's(?) son. Furthermore, he writes about the plans Ifor had to try for a modern language scholarship at Cambridge but fears that his plans will be upset by his detainment. He suspects that without this any prospects for a University career will have to be abandoned. However he hopes his experience will prove useful in any future career he might undertake.

Evans, William John (1866-1947). Musician.

Letter from William Evans Hoyle,

He has just received Mr Evans' letter and a telegram from Copenhagen. Mr Hoyle cannot offer any explanation for the message beyond what is contained in the telegram. However he expects the letter on which it is based to arrive in due course. He supposes the 5000 marks (£250) requested is a security for good behaviour and asks if any similar requests have been made of other prisoners known to Mr Evans. Mr Hoyle recommends not acting on the matter until the original letter is to hand.

Hoyle, William Evans. National Museum of Wales.

Letter from Mrs Louise Siuiou,

She writes that she has just returned from Nuremberg and while she did not meet Ifor herself, a friend of hers knows him. She has been given a message to pass on; his son is well but longing for home, he will only be released on payment of 3000 marks (£150). The only means of transmitting this money would be through the American Consul.

Siuiou, Louise Mrs.

Letter from Telwyn Davies,

Writes that he had hoped to be in a position to offer Mr Evans some news, but when he visited the Foreign Office yesterday he was not able to see the gentlemen he wished. He has been informed via an unofficial source that 2 or 3 weeks must pass before anything can be done.

Davies, Telwyn.

Letter from G. Velluot,

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.

Velluot, G.

Letter from Desmond Warren, Dublin,

He writes to Mr Evans thinking it will ease his mind to learn that he knows for a certainty that the prisoners of war were to be placed in the hands of the military authorities, after a few days confinement. This should result in much better treatment. Mr Warren understands that the American Consul is willing to send money to prisoners of war; to his knowledge he has lent several Englishmen at Nuremberg money. Any money deposited with any American Consul on the continent can be paid out by another. Desmond writes that Ifor sees this as an excellent opportunity to learn German. He further states that he does not believe that his detention will last long.

Warren, Desmund. Dublin.

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