Archifdy Ceredigion Archives
ADX/1712/2: I.T. James Collection, Series 2
Acc.3889
Ref: ADX/1712/2Reference: [GB 0212] ADX/1712/2
Title: Personal Correspondence
Date(s): 1939-1950
Level: Series
Extent: 51 items
Scope and Content: Includes a series of letters and postcards sent from Ivor James's parents every Sunday to Prisoner of War Post, annotated with dates received by Ivor James, often over a year later. Also includes telegrams sent from and to Ivor, regarding his return to Wales.
ADX/1712/2/1Two G.P.O Greetings Telegrams in gold envelope wishing Gnr. Ivor James a happy birthday from his family.
Date: 22 Aug 1939
ADX/1712/2/2Royal Air Force Christmas Card from Ivor James's brother, Ronald.
Date: Dec c.1939-1941
ADX/1712/2/3Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father tells him that his brothers are enquiring for him and that 'Gwilym's father has written and has had a reply they are in the same boat'.
Date: 7 Feb 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/4Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'Hubert and Ron are alright, so Cheerio for the present'.
Date: 14 Feb 1943, received 18 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/5Letter from Ivor James's parents Ivor James's father via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes 'the strain of silence as to your whereabouts are very heavy and trying', and mentioning a friend called Alun who is going to get married.
Date: 21 Feb 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/6Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They write that 'We are still without any news of you and we trust that our letters are reaching you [...] and have placed our confidence in your safe keeping in the one that rules all'.
Date: 7 Mar 1943, received 18 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/7Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They are still waiting for news of him and write that 'Hubert is very good but anxious about you, writes weekly enquiring', and that 'R[ev]. Dan Evans is also very interested as to your welfare and calls very often, dozens of others are enquiring'.
Date: 14 Mar 1943, received 19 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/8Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'All the Lads that were your friends are well but scattered. I could fill a Book that would be of interest to you but under the circumstances it can't be done'.
Date: 21 Mar 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/9Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'we are daily anxiously awaiting some news regarding your welfare [...] we don't know where Ron is. All your old friends are well and are enquiring for you'.
Date: 28 Mar 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/10Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. 'Time is a bliss and a blessing, swiftly passing on a route never waiting, Floats away on a swift wing so here is another weekend we have the opportunity of writing you a few lines [...] Our anxiety is longing to have a word about you but our faith is as strong as ever'.
Date: 4 Apr 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/11Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes 'we trust that you are well, we are very fair but would be much better if we had any news about you.
Date: 11 Apr 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/12Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'we are anxiously awaiting a small ray of sunshine to come through the Dark Cloud that stands between us [...] we received a wire from Ron it had taken 10 days to come [...] Hubert is home for 10 days, he is ok, there is no change in him since you last saw him' and concludes with verse 'we live for those who loves us, for those who know us true'.
Date: 17 Apr 1943, received 19 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/13Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'our anxiety as to your welfare are clinging to us every minute of the day and cannot very well be explained in words. We have tried all ways to get some news but so far doom to disappointment, nevertheless our faith holds good'. There is an 'airgraph letter from Ron [...] he is Ok but does not say where he is but hopes to reach his destination before long', Hubert 'went back Thursday but had very good weather while here'.
Date: 24 Apr 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/14Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They write that 'we are today very nervy and excited as news came through last night that Roy Fisher from the GPO was a Prisoner of War in Malaya and how we are looking forward for the same good news [...] we are keeping our faith that God is looking after you and that he will give us strength and health to welcome you home'.
Date: 2 May 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/15Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that it is 18 months since they have heard from him, and 4 years since he left home. He writes that they have had an 'airgraph from Ronald ... Hubert is still at the same place, he is also well. ... Ida and the children are coming home for a fortnight. [...] Keep your chin up and keep smiling [...] I pray to God every hour of the day to keep you safe'.
Date: 16 May 1943, received 18 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/16Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They are still waiting for news of him.
Date: 23 May 1943, received 18 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/17Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes 'We are fair under the circumstances but have had a heavy blow, the details I cannot give, but poor Hubert has passed away in England, result of accident. I went away but not in time, buried at Penygarn.'
Date: 30 May 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/18Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes 'the suspense of not having any news regarding you is a heavy burden [...] we have no special news to tell and if we had we would not be allowed to put it down'.
Date: 6 Jun [1943], received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/19Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'the silence of your whereabouts is very hard'.
Date: 13 Jun 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/20Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that they are 'longing to hear about you' and 'we had news about Ron yesterday, somewhere in the East. Ida and children went back Tuesday.'
Date: 27 Jun 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/21Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father is still 'anxiously awaiting news about you' and writes that 'good news has come about Williams Carnarvon one of your pals' and that there have been '2 airgraphs and a cablegram from Ron, he is in India'. 'We cannot look ahead for any news about dear Hubert no more and miss his weekly letters very much and can't realise he has gone'.
Date: 4 Jul 1943, received 19 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/22Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'the old hearth is very empty [...] we would give all we could only to have a word to say that you are alright'.
Date: 11 Jul 1943, received 28 May 1944
ADX/1712/2/23Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They are 'still awaiting anxiously to hear something about you... news are coming slowly through'.
Date: 18 Jul 1943, received 19 Jul 1944
ADX/1712/2/24Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that they are 'anxiously awaiting news of you' as 'there are 15000 Cards come to this country from Malaya'.
Date: 25 Jul 1943, received 27 Sept 1944
ADX/1712/2/25Letter from Elizabeth James, Ivor James's mother, via Prisoner of War Post. She is 'still waiting some news about you' and mentions having heard from Ronald by cable and '3 Airgraphs'. 'Dad and myself are trying our best to keep up under the heavy blow of loosing [sic] dear Hubert as we have you two boys to think of, we can hardly believe he has gone from us forever, poor darling. I wish we could have good news about you that would bring a ray of sunshine to our aching hearts.'
Date: 1 Aug 1943, received 16 Nov 1944
ADX/1712/2/26Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They are 'longing for news' and 'receive about 2 airgraphs a week from Ron ... we are to wire him as soon as we get news'.
Date: 8 Aug 1943, received 16 Nov 1944
ADX/1712/2/27Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. His father writes that 'News of you or your whereabouts would be a great relief. Another mail ship we hear with letters from the Far East has gone and only a few letters saved... it is for me now rather hard to write in block lettrs [sic] but that is the instructions and I am doing my best'.
Date: 14 Aug 1943, received 17 Sept 1944
ADX/1712/2/28Letter from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. 'Few lines this week again on your birthday'.
Date: 22 Aug 1943, received 4 Dec 1944
ADX/1712/2/29Postcard from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. They write hoping he is well.
Date: 4 Sept 1943, received 25 Sept 1944
ADX/1712/2/30Postcard from Ivor's niece, Phyllis McKay in Aberystwyth, via Prisoner of War post.
Date: 18 Sept 1943, received 4 Dec 1944
ADX/1712/2/31Postcard from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War post. They are still waiting for news of him.
Date: 18 Sept 1943, received 1 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/32Postcard from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. 'Received your card. How happy we feel after the good news.'
Date: 28 Sept 1943, received 16 Nov 1944
ADX/1712/2/33Postcard from Ivor's sister Bonnie McKay via Prisoner of War post. 'Glad you are safe and well.'
Date: 3 Oct 1943, received 25 Sept 1944
ADX/1712/2/34Postcard from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. 'Heaps of love. God bless you'.
Date: 14 Oct 1943, received 25 Sept 1944
ADX/1712/2/35Postcard sent from Ivor James's parents via Prisoner of War Post. 'We are now much happier'.
Date: 28 Oct 1943, received 4 Dec 1944
ADX/1712/2/36Postcard from Ivor James's sister, Bonnie McKay via Prisoner of War Post. 'Glad you are safe. Hope you are keeping well.'
Date: 31 Oct 1943, received 16 Nov 1944
ADX/1712/2/37Postcard sent from Ivor's mother, Elizabeth James via Prisoner of War Post. 'All the family are sending their kind regards. Keep smiling, love Mam & Dad.'
Date: 11 Nov 1943, received 4 Dec 1944
ADX/1712/2/38Postcard from Ivor James's father Hugh James via Prisoner of War Post.
Date: 24 Nov 1943, received 16 Nov 1944
ADX/1712/2/39Postcard from Elizabeth James, Ivor's mother via Prisoner of War Post.
Date: 8 Dec 1943, received 12 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/40Postcard from Ivor James's sister, Bonnie McKay via Prisoner of War Post. 'Glad you are safe. Hope you are well. Mum and Dad O.K. Everlasting Love.'
Date: 12 Dec 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/41Postcard from Elizabeth James, Ivor's mother via Prisoner of War Post. She writes 'we are happier now knowing what camp you are'.
Date: 14 Dec 1943, received 23 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/42Postcard from H.O. James, Ivor's father via Prisoner of War Post. He writes 'received card glad to note that you are well happy now'.
Date: 28 Dec 1943, received 12 Aug 1944
ADX/1712/2/43Telegram from Ivor James's parents via Central Telegraph Office in London. 'What a relief longing for reunion keep cheerfull all well here love'.
Date: 25 Sept 1944[5?], received 23 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/44Telegram from Ivor James's parents via Central Telegraph Office in London. 'Delighted with news, longing to see you all well, keep smiling love - parents'.
Date: 16 Oct 1945, received 23 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/45Telegram from Ivor James's parents via Central Telegraph Office in London. 'Happy to hear that you are alright anxiously waiting your arrival love - parents'.
Date: 18 Oct 1945, received 23 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/46Telegram from Ivor James's parents to Hospital, Town West, Bangalore. 'Letter read many thanks our thoughts are with you.'
Date: 10 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/47Telegram sent to Ivor James in Aberystwyth. 'Welcome Home Ivor. All at St Kilda'.
Date: 24 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/48Telegram from Cassie and Evan, sent to Ivor James in Aberystwyth. 'Congratulations on your safe return'.
Date: 26 Nov 1945
ADX/1712/2/49Telegram from Ivor James to his parents in Aberystwyth. 'Home on mail in morning love - Ivor'.
Date: 26 Jan 1946
ADX/1712/2/50Letter from Ivor James applying for post of Passenger Guard at Aberystwyth station, and explaining that due to 'my war service of 7 years with the forces, 4 years as a P.O.W. of the Japanese, I have naturally missed opportunities which I could have grasped'. He signs himself as 'Porter Grade I, Llanrhystud Road Station'.
Date: 23 Apr 1947
ADX/1712/2/51Receipt sent from James Woodhouse & Son, House Furnishers, Swansea to Mrs James for Windsor Suite.
Date: 19 Dec 1950