30 Cdn Air Survey Liaison Sec, RCE

Cdn Army England,

19 Sept 44.

Dear Jean:

Your letter of the 10th arrived this pm, and was very welcome. I have been wondering about your eye, especially since your previous letter describing the operation, and it is good to know that the results are continuing satisfactorily. Now is the time to be very careful with them, so that no danger of strain may occur when they are still delicate and tender from the operation, and from the trouble which we hope is completely remedied. I hate to think of the conseque - if anything happened to my eyes, however they seem to stand up to the racket very well indeed. Keep me advised of your progress in each letter, as I shall be anxious till you are fully recovered.

Your description of the lovely Sunday morning there was so much enjoyed, I could see it all, and even hear the little chug chug motor boat. Just a year since I left you the second time, and it looks as though my prediction of between one and two years more from then is likely to be not far out. When I get time, (that is not often), I think about what we should do after the war, and unless the situation in the Forest Branch there is changed for the better, am afraid that I don't feel too optimistic about my work with the BC gov't. In fact the future of Canada does not look bright to me at all, none of our governments has faced up to the fundamental requirements of real nationhood. As long as we have French equal to English as our official language, and until we eliminate the RC Church in Quebec from control of politics there, and schools, we will not be a nation, nor can we carry on even evading the issue very much longer without serious trouble. There is no place I know of where I would rather live than in Victoria, or the vicinity. Have been wondering if a real good job with the Colonial office here, or with one of the big oil companies as air survey engineer were to become available, it might be a good idea to take it. If I could get something that gave me big scope for about 15 years, in some of the eastern countries, at a good salary which would enable us to retire comfortably in Victoria, and with the odd furlough, it would be hard to resist. I want to see something of the world, and I think you and Mary should too, I should then be satisfied to live a moderately quiet life there. The ideal would be the summers in BC, and the winters in California. Another idea would be to get on the staff of one of the big universities in Calif, preferably southern Calif. Which would give me four or five months free each summer to do commercial air survey in the north. Have not heard any results of the Forestry commissions findings in BC. If they should put a man like Fred Mulholland in as deputy minister of forests, then I would feel that reasonable chances of scope for my work would be available in BC. I have a big investment there already in time and knowledge, which if I go somewhere else, would be of no use to me. One thing of course, some of the old die-hards will be dropping out, and it should let in a bit of fresh air and sunlight to some of the gov't departments.

Bill is away in London on leave, I went down to Haywards for the week end, needed a change, and got it. Stayed down till early Monday morning and rode back on the motor bike before work. Bert always gets up early Monday mornings to catch the early train, so it is easy to get a good start back here too. They certainly treat me royally. Got plenty of fresh air and exercise, and feel much better for it. Have been suffering from a boil, in the favourite old spot, right where I sit down. It threatens to keep me pretty well at home this week, Have made a ring cushion out of a large old towel I have, by twisting it up, and then coiling it. I call it my haloe, except that it is for the "other end".

There seems to be no let up in the work, have had a two-weeks interruption in finishing my report, which annoys me a bit, as I cannot go on leave till I get the report out. Am getting pretty well fed up with my British friends. They like letting a free horse do all the bull work, and the difficult stuff, while they play around and have the fun, and see the interesting things. If they don't get me out of this country pretty soon, I'm going to blow up.

Called in at Morris's for a moment on the way down to Haywards on Saturday, and the dress goods for Ecila had just arrived. She is delighted with it, and believe me you are right up on top in their estimation. I do wish you and Mary could come over here before I go back home, and see this country, and meet my few friends. Altho I'm fed up with it, I'd get a big thrill out of coming back here enroute home from farther east, and meeting you and Mary here. We could then go home from here together.

People are feeling a great relief from the modified blackout here. Another winter of strict blackout would have been grim indeed. The war is going to end none too soon, people are very very weary and fed up with it. Well dear, am afraid my letter this time sounds a bit fed-uppish. Maybe we'll get a break yet.

LOVE

..........GER

P.S. Don't forget to tell me if the MBE [?] has not arrived yet.