Mr. Walter Wolfe Hughes, a well known Ammanford postman serving as a private with the Cheshire Regiment, has been captured by the Germans, and he is now a prisoner of war in Hanover , Germany .
The foregoing piece of news is conveyed on a post card received by Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of 11, Villiers-road, with whom Hughes resided, and it is welcome in view of the fact that rumours had gained currency that Hughes had been killed.
Nothing had been heard from him since the beginning of September, and a parcel of warm garments which Mr. J. L. Williams, of Maesysquarre, sent to him was returned undelivered three weeks ago.
Thus the fears entertained by his many friends in Ammanford and also in Bettws, which formed his daily “round,” as to his fate were not by any means groundless. It is probable that he fell into German hands early in the war; in fact, the postcard referred to was written in the military detention camp on the 23 rd of September, and from its tone it can fairly be inferred that some time had elapsed before he was able to drop a word home.
Bearing many official marks and postmarks, the card itself is in the mature of an historic document. On the face there is the Ammanford address as well as the name and address of the sender – W. Hughes, Englisher, Krieg gefengener, M. B. 10, Munster-Lager , Hanover , Germany – which may be utilised by his friends for the purpose of correspondence.
Although of the ordinary size the other side of the card, neatly and closely written as it is, contains close on 300 words.
It reads thus :-
“Sept 23 rd , 1914. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones, - no doubt you will all be wondering what has become of me. I am pleased to say I am quite safe and well, but prisoner of war. Am living in hopes of seeing you all again some day, so kindly look after all my things until I return. Will you be so kind as to call in at the Post Office and let them read this. At the same time give my kind regards to them all. Tell them I prefer being in Ammanford to being here. A line from you or any of them would be very much appreciated – as often as they like – but please don't mention anything of the war. This is mot allowed. If it is not too much trouble, I should also like you to call and see Mrs. Harries, at the Post Office, Bettws, giving her my kind regards, and remember me to all friends at Bettws. We are situated in a very healthy spot. It gets very cold here, though, towards the night. Please tell Mr. and Mrs. Richards I am alright. We are having a fairly easy time of it here. In fact, it gets quite monotonous during the day. So please write as soon and as often as possible, and address all letters exactly the same as other side, otherwise they are liable to go astray, and don't on any account mention anything of the war. Remember a letter to Germany costs 2 ½ d., but will square up for all stamps when I return. I may not be able to write as often as I should like. Must close now. Trusting all are quite well, very sincerely yours,
Walter Wolfe Hughes.”
