1943 Canadian Soldier, US merchant marine relief to Russia

GB 1/-, 3d tied by Glasgow (Feb 26) on cover (with red boxed Examined & Passed United Sates Customs District No. 10 Mar 25 1943) to United States lines, Pier 62, New York, NY USA, crossed out and blue hs “c/o Postmaster New York, NY”, with censor tape (Examined 5608 and carried by US Armed Guard escorting US Merchant Marine relief convoy to Russia, Russian censor tape and Russian censor mark on reverse.
The letter enclosed is from Sapper Brandt (L19243) with 9th Canadian Field Squadron, RCE stationed in Scotland, writing to his brother Dan who served in the merchant marines and was stationed aboard the
SS ARTIGAS, which was part of an early relief convoy to bring supplies to war torn Russia. As indicated on the cover, Brandt was aboard the S/S Artigas which was in Murmansk and remained in northern Russia acting as a local convoy of goods for the Russians. The Artigas earned a US battle star for action between 15 Feb 43-27 Feb 43.