The Feature Page
of
Eric Hulse

Our oldest Lancashire Fusilier
(we think)
11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers WW2
Served in Malta
Eric was 100 years old on the
12th December 2014




Eric was 100 on the 12th December 2014 we had invited him up to the Fusiliers Museum where we were going to show him round and have a little party for him but a couple of days before the party Eric had a fall which shook him up a little so he could not come so we went to him David Platt welfare officer, Paul Deeks, Fusilier James Knight from 1RRF and myself Dennis Laverick went down to Crewe we took him a special cake and a few present with us Eric was over the moon to see us and it was not long before he started to tell us some of his stories, the photo on his cake we had made he said he was 18 then.

We must thank Carol Fulham and Michael Sharp who go every day to look after Eric and us whilst we were on the visit
 to see a slide show of our visit




11the July 1941 the Bn sailed for an unknown destination,they went first to Gibralter and then transferred to the Cruiser HMS Edinburgh to be taken to Malta.
They were the last convoy to reach Malta for the next 12 months!!
They narrowly missed being hit by 2 torpedoes and they were bombed continuously en route,with every man firing every weapon they could find at the attacking aircraft.
After a most amazing 985 mile run, they docked at Malta on the 25th July 1941.
The 11th Bn took their honourable place in defending the island of Malta against all odds until the October of 1942.
This defence led to the granting of the George Cross to the Island and it's people.
As soon as it became possible,the Bn began to retrain and get fit again(they had been under very short rations for a long period) and a few Officers went as observers to the 2nd Bn at Cassino.
It is of great interest to us in 2005 that HMS Eurylus visited in March 1943 and the ships bell was presented to the 11th Bn.
This is the very bell which most of us know so well.
On the 21st May 1944 the Bn disembarked at Naples to begin fighting the Germans in Italy.

These are the messages that have been left on the Fusilier pages on Facebook

BURY BRANCH page
" David Platt, Kevin Heselwood, Mike Hall and 33 others like this.
"
Elwin Pickup Well done lads
"
Tez Johnson Nice one lads
"
Bernie Bowe Well done.
"
John Foy Nice touch guys..total Respect...happy Birthday Eric...Oafaaf!
"
David Platt May I just say! that The people that care for Eric and are not on the picture ( Too Shy ) are Carol & Michael, they are not related to Eric but do a great job in looking after him also looked after us very well while we were there. Thank you Carol & Eric
"
Dennis Laverick Eric does not get any visitors and it would be nice and a big boost to Eric if anyone near Crewe could visit him if you could visit let me or David Platt know
"
David Platt Excellent. Happy birthday, Eric. Speedy recovery, mate.
"
Michael Priestley Happy birthday Eric respect to you sir

ONCE A FUSILIER ALWAYS A FUSILIER page
" Anthony Fusilier McLoughlin, Kris Oafaaf Bothwell, Laraine Jones and 23 others like this.
"
Tony Gould Congratulations to Eric and well done you guys


ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS page
" Louisa Wilson, Peter Kinsella, Mac Mckechnie Snr and 76 others like this.
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Christine Corbishley
"
Steve Phill Well done lads
"
Louisa Wilson True soilders families look after their own xxxhappy 100 birthday young man xxx
"
Keith Black Wished I had known, I would of engraved a crest on a glass for him. Respect


1st Bn ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
" Brad Bear, Paul Deeks, Gareth Ness Lomax and 70 others like this.
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Eileen Bonney Cryer aww Godbless him Happy 100th birthday Eric xx
"
Derek John Brooks Happy 100 th year eric god bless you sir.
"
Kev Fisher Mega god bless eric and you guys, see I love my fus family full of lads that care, and it goes on - god bless troops x
"
Steve Hanson Good on you guys. I bet that made his day.
"
Dennis Laverick it did make his day and some of the stories he told us great
"
Mickeightace Sharp Wow 100 , absolutely amazing , bet the stories were incredible
"
Steve Hanson I bet he will value your visit more than his telegram from Liz!
"
Dorothy Perryman Well done guys
"
Brian Lee Thompson Happy 100th birthday OAFAAF
"
John O'grady Dennis,
Very well to all of you,You made an old man and Fusilier very happy.
OG
"
Michelle Ann Nicholson Happy 100th birthday Eric
"
Steven Parkinson well done OAFAAF
"
Melissa Penny Aww god bless him happy 100th birthday xx
"
Melissa Penny Aww god bless him happy 100th birthday xx
"
Stephen Wilks God Bless the Fusiliers
"
Ronald Miller Total Respect young man OAFFAAF
"
Les Blythe outstanding, well done gentlemen
"
Jacky Lawrence Happy 100th birthday OAFAAF god bless x

2nd Bn ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS


Alan Aspin God Bless, Happy 100th Ian Oafaaf
" Tony Rostron, Phil Massam and 26 others like this.
"
Christine Corbishley Happy Birthday Eric

" 3rd Bn ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
" 27 people like this.
"
Nigel Slade Outstanding!
"
Vaughn Marx top job well done
"
Michelle Booth Paul Deeks you are one in a million you were a true fusilier brother to my dad til his passing, your heart is a big as your pride.. respect to all fusiliers x
"
Titus Maximus Well done lads oafaaf
"
Jeremy Garrett Fantastic, I remember when I was with the RIT London and we went to visit a Fusilier Ralph Razel, that was a great experience. Apparently Ralph had been the only surviver from a bombardment his platoon had experienced. I don't know if it happens but his son was hoping to have a book of Ralph's time in the war printed?