58621: Letter from Eric Halse concerning the Dardenelles

The letter is a hand written transcript of Eric's letter to his future wife, Annie Bell (Betty) and this transcript was in an envelope addressed to Miss Halse, 63 Bromham Rd., Bedford. It was not sent by post, or sealed. Miss Halse was Lillian Halse, sister to Sir Reginald Charles Halse, Archbishop of Brisbane. The connection with Eric Halse is not certain. Born in Johannesburg in 1898, Eric Halse came to Bedford with his parents as a boy and was educated at Bedford Grammar School. After leaving the school in 1913 he joined the Artists Rifles, a territorial unit, and on the outbreak of war was commissioned with the East Yorkshire Regiment. During the 1914-1918 War he served at the Dardanelles and in France. Towards the end of the war he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He died in 1963.

Editor's Comment:
Lt. (later Capt.) Eric A. Halse, 6th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment. The 6th Bn formed part of the 11th (Northern) Division, and landed at Suvla Bay on the 6th August, 1915, evacuating the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 21st December 1915.