Correspondence relating to Henry Miller Lanser, 1915-1973

Correspondence relating to the First World War service of 712 Second Lieutenant Henry Miller Lanser, 1st Australian Infantry Battalion, 17 September 1915 - 13 November 1973.

This collection primarily contains official and private correspondence relating to the wounding of Henry Miller Lanser at Gallipoli in August 1915, and his death during the Battle of Flers on 5 November 1916. Letters from fellow soldiers to the Lanser family provide an insight of the personal and professional qualities Lanser demonstrated during active service, and his popularity amongst the 1st Battalion. Official correspondence from the Australian Imperial Force and the Australian Red Cross Society (Information Bureau) to the Lanser family reveal details relating to the death of Lanser during the Battle of Flers, the discovery of his body almost four months later, his initial burial at Bayonet Trench Cemetery, and subsequent interment to Grevillers British Cemetery after the Armistice.

This file contains:

Telegram from the Secretary Defence to E. [Edward] Lanser, Melbourne, 7 September 1915 [includes envelope];
Letter from A.C. [Anquetil Charles] Somerville to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Tel el Kabir, Egypt, 11 January 1916 [includes envelope];
Letter from Captain Chaplain [William Ashley-Brown] to Mrs. [Bertha] Lanser, France, 10 April 1916;
Telegram from C.L. [Claude Leslie] Luscombe, Victoria Barracks, [Sydney], 15 November 1916;
Letter from John Macaulay to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, The Manse, Waverley, [Sydney], 4 December 1916;
Letter from R.I.C. [Roderick Ian Clarence] MacGregor to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, 6 March 1917;
Letter from Edward Lanser to Colonel Kenneth Mackay, Sydney, 8 March 1917;
Letter from Harry W. Stephen to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Sydney, 28 March 1917;
Letter from Langer Owen to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Sydney, 7 June 1917;
Letter from Langer Owen to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Sydney, 10 July 1917;
Letter from Langer Owen to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Sydney, 19 July 1917;
Letter from Langer Owen to Mr. E.N. [Edward Nicholas] Lanser, Sydney, 7 August 1917;
Letter from Major J.M. [James Malcolm] Lean to E. [Edward] Lanser, Melbourne, 11 September 1918;
Letter from Major James Malcolm Lean to Mr. [Edward] Lanser, Melbourne, 2 September 1921;
Postcard-letter addressed to Miss Lanser, Belgium, 23 September 1930;
Note to E.N. [Edward Nicholas] Lanser, [date unknown] [regarding the service record of Henry Miller Lanser]; and
Photocopy of letter from Colonel R.A. [Ronald Alwyn] Grey to E. Lanser, London, 13 November 1973.