Lieut. G.S. Andres, R.C.E.

"I"Branch, H.Q. Canadian Corps

CASF, Base P.O. Canada.

England, 13th April 1941

Dearest Jean:

Another busy week, and a useful one. If all this work comes to a fruitful result, then it will be worth while - and I will feel that I have made a small contribution to the cause, If not, then at least I will have had some good experience out of it, which will be useful in the future. There was a Canadian mail early in the week, but nothing for me, so I am beginning to wonder if the ship carrying my letter got into some trouble. However, there may be some arrive this coming week.
Last Monday I arranged for a special remittance to you of £30-0-0 (about $134.00) through the army pay-master - so you should have it sometime in May, probably toward the end of May. It is to be sent to you c/o the Bank of Nova Scotia, Victoria. You might tell them to expect it and let you know. Also I made arrangements to increase my assigned pay to you from 75.00 to 100.00 per month - so that you will have monthly a total of 15700 including yours & Mary's dependents allowance. You can use all I can send you on payments on the house, expenses in connection with it, and to build up a reserve in the bank for emergencies, and for our future needs, if you have any left over. I could further increase the 100.00 to you on my present basis of pay, but one never knows when they might transfer me to a different job which although just as important - may carry less pay. If I accumulate more than I need here, from time to time, I can always arrange to send you a special remittance. I don't think it wise to keep too much money here, when we have quite a lot to think about at home. I plan to keep just enough to meet my running expenses, plus a small reserve for emergencies.

Yesterday I got a parcel off to you from Miss Morris - more little dresses for Mary that her neice has out grown - I hope it arrives o.k. If you want to drop them a note address the envelope to

Miss Ecila Morris,

"Shoelands"

Tyrrells Wood, Leatherhead,

Surrey, England.

and if you addressed the letter to her and her mother, the old lady would be greatly bucked up. By the way - I don't think you need to worry about your old man getting interested in Ecila - she is over 40 - and looks her age - and you know how I like them young & pretty! Joking aside, she is a good scout - you would like both the old lady & the daughter. They certainly have been good to me.

The members of our branch had a nice little stag dinner party last Monday at a nice old Inn not far away - Had a real bang up meal - and all the trimmings - it was fine - It was sort of a farewell party to some English officers who are leaving our corps to be replaced by Canadians, who acted as hosts.

I have some leave coming up in a couple of weeks, and have not decided what to do with it. The weather should be a bit warmer then - except today & yesterday, April has been decidedly frigid, so far. However the spring flowers are braving the elements - daffodils, prim roses, crocuses, etc. and some of the trees are beginning to blossom, others showing a tinge of green buds.

The war news is a bit topsy turvey lately, but we must expect that. U.S. help & cooperation is getting stronger and more effective each week - and I still think were going to win.

I thought how nice it would have been to take you & Mary to church this morning, being Easter Sunday - However since I couldn't do that, I decided not to go alone, so got some work done instead.

A British Colonel of the Royal Engineers, a friend of the Morris' is staying there this week end - he is a very fine man - and was out on survey work in northern B.C. before the last war - I enjoyed meeting him. He has rambled around a lot of other parts of the world too, and was very interesting.

Haven't seen Lorne for a long time. I see Dick Fanow occasionally & Col. Carrie last week. No news yet of Bills safe arrival in Canada.
Am anxious to hear from you - and will be glad to know of your plans for your visit to California.

I must go now - or I shall be too late for supper - All my love to you both -

[?]

Ger.