Letter from Roy Bruce to Maud Bruce

I think it would
be a very good idea if Helen were
to start some hobby. Say for
instance stamp collecting. It is
very interesting and I used to be
very fond of it when I was a
kiddie. Now that she is going
about more and mixing up with
other children at school and
elsewhere she should find plenty
of opportunities for exchange etc.
I am enclosing a few Egyptian
stamps for a start. The duplicates

she can possibly exchange for
others. I will send some more
when I get an opportunity. It is
always nice for a child to have
something useful to occupy herself
with.

I would also like you to buy
her a copy of "Grimm's Fairy Tales".
I used to be very fond of them.
I think she would like them.

Enclosed you will find an
Egyptian 1 note (100 piastres) the
actual value in English money here
is 1.0.6 d , but I expect the Banks
there will charge you one or two

shillings Exchange. Buy her a
copy of Grimm & a book for her
stamps, and if there is anything
over anything over , anything
you like for yourself.

I can send you the money
to have the house painted if
you like, but at present I am
rather inclined to keep it in
case you can come out here. I
see absolutely no chance of my
going to N.Z. , and a voyage for
you to either Egypt or England
is going to cost a lot of money.
Let me know what you think?

There is one thing I am very
thankful for, and that is if any-
thing happens to me, the pension you
would received as a Major's widow leaves
you safely provided for. That worried
me a lot when I was a Lieut.

I am afraid this is rather a
materialistic letter, but my mood
is such at the moment, and there is
absolutely no news - we are sitting down
consolidating prior to capturing El Arish .

Let us hope the whole thing will
be over before long, and we can once
more be together and settle down
peacefully.

With fondest love and humbugs
to you both,
Roy .