Transcript from copy held at US National Archives.
Source Document: US National Archives Washington (NARA) ; RG 84 Records of Foreign Service Posts ; Diplomatic Posts – Great Britain – Volume 0763
Camp Festungsgefaengnis at Wsel
May 26, 1916.
Here there are only two British prisoners: – Lieutenant C.F.L.Templer (who confirmed the story told at Magdeburg, on May 18th, that he had been transferred in accordance with his own desire), and Lieutenant Ralph de B. Evans, Shropshires. Lieutenant Evans had commented in a letter on a German officer in a disrespectful manner and was sentenced in February to imprisonment for five months.
These two officers and two French officers who are also serving court-martial, sentences are housed together in the ”Festungsstubengefangenen-Anstalt” inside the Citadel. Two officers, one of each nationality, share a good sized room with a barred window looking out on the green and wooded enclosure, in which all four are permitted to walk together for half an hour both mornings and afternoons. All four take their meals together and they said that the food provided is excellent. The Commandant said that he would allow the two English officers to room together if they wished, but both said (when I talked to them together and without witnesses) that they prefer to remain as they axe. The officers are permitted to bathe twice a week, but the Commandant said that their request for permission to take a daily (cold shower) bath would be considered. Both said that they are in touch with their families and receive their letters and parcels regularly. They are at liberty to write letters
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Under the usual rules.
Lieutenant Evans, whom I saw in a hospital at Paderborn on September 9, 1915, has not regained the use of his right arm and is a till undergoing massage treatment. Attention was called to his case to the end that he be examined by the Swiss medical commission, with the view to his possible transfer to Switzerland in July, after he has served out his sentence.
John B. Jackson