SIR EDWARD HOWARD MARSH - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/09/1912 - HFSID 142487

EDWARD MARSH.
Winston Churchill's Private Secretary writes to Britain's naval advisor to Turkey, soon to be Britain's enemy.
Typed Letter signed: "E Marsh", 1p, 5x8 with blank integral leaf. The Admiralty, Whitehall (London), 1912 October 9. On imprinted letter head to Rear Admiral Arthur Limpus, "Constantinople", Turkey. In full: "Mr. Churchill asks me to thank you very much for your two interesting letters. Events have developed very rapidly since you wrote, and it must be most exciting to be where you are! Yours sincerely" [Marsh has used his pen to turn the final period into an exclamation point.] Sir Edward Howard "Eddie" MARSH (1872-1953), a British civil servant, clerked for several prominent British officials. He was Churchill's Private Secretary, with some interruptions, from 1905-1929, including Churchill's initial tour as First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-1915). He retired from government service (1937) before Churchill became Prime Minister (1940), but continued to assist Sir Winston's literary efforts, editing his manuscripts and writing a preface for one. Marsh was a scholar and patron of the arts. He wrote a memoir of the poet Rupert Brook and translated works from French and Latin. He held important posts in British art and literary circles in his later years, including a long tenure as Chairman of the Contemporary Art Society. Rear Admiral Arthur LIMPUS, the addressee, served as Britain's naval advisor to the Turks (1912-1914). When World War I broke out, Limpus was actively involved in the effort to keep Turkey neutral in the conflict. When, however, Turkey entered the war on the German side, Limpus was recalled. Amazingly, when Britain launched an amphibious invasion to seize the Turkish straits in 1915 - the Gallipoli campaign - Limpus, who knew the Turkish plans and forces intimately - was not involved. Indeed, he was instructed not to share with British military planners any information he possessed on Turkish defenses. This "gentlemanly" decision may have been momentous. The Gallipoli campaign cost a quarter million Allied lives, ending in complete failure, and cost Churchill, who had advocated the operation, his job as First Lord of the Admiralty. Fine condition.