Melvyn graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in 1936 with a Bachelor's degree in geology.

This site contains a collection of letters that span the years 1934 to 1965 and the transcript of a taped narrative Melvyn made in the late 1980′s.   Melvyn wrote most of the letters to his mother and to his brothers, Orval and Everett.  Later, Melvyn’s wife, Winona, also wrote letters to her mother-in-law in Canada.  The initial letters are from Melvyn while at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and from locations such as Snow Lake, Manitoba, and Gold Fields on Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan while on geological survey expeditions.  Melvyn worked with Jack (also known as John) Baker.  In 1936, Melvyn and Jack, both geologists, accepted job offers to do geological exploration for the Geita Gold Mining Company in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) (Part I: 1934 to 1939).

 They sailed on the Queen Mary, which had started transatlantic voyages between Southampton in England and New York , in order to formally apply for the positions in London.  They were properly outfitted with their “tropical kit” and given an advance of 40 quid.   They then travelled to France, overland to Marseilles, then on a French vessel through the Suez Canal to Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanganyika which is part of what was known as “British East Africa.”  They were quickly put to work and were successful in discovering a number of gold deposits that were developed into mines.  Very quickly Melvyn and Jack formed their own gold mining company that became known as Canuck Mines and they were in business for themselves.

 As the letters unfold (Part II: 1940 to 1954) we learn something of the strengths and weaknesses of the partnership; we get a sense of how the war affected career and travel ambitions; we watch Melvyn and his partner, John Baker, marry and raise families; and we read about the hunting exploits of Melvyn, Winona and their sons.  While there are many happy moments and much to celebrate in these letters, these writings are also a window into how Melvyn and his family dealt with excruciating losses (Part III: 1955 to 1965).

 Many of the photographs that were sent home to Canada with these letters have been included here.  In some cases, pictures that might have been sent and other documents have been included to illuminate the letters.  Also, Melvyn replies in his letters to his mother and brothers and makes comments about family members.  While letters sent from Canada have been lost, the pictures of Canadian relatives remain.  In many cases these too have been included here.

 Melvyn returned to Canada to live on Vancouver Island in 1965 where he first settled in Port Alberni and later retired in Qualicum Beach.  In the Fall of 1997, Melvyn and Winona came to live with their son Chuck (Charles) and his family in Duncan.   Melvyn passed away the following year.  His wife, Winona, passed away in February, 2008, at the age of 92.