Helps was born in
Dulwich in London and, between 1903 and 1907, he attended
Dulwich College while also receiving art lessons from a private tutor. In 1908, he enrolled at the
Slade School of Fine Art in London. During World War I, Helps joined the
Artists' Rifles and saw active service in France. Helps joined the
1924 British Mount Everest expedition as an official artist. He completed some eighty paintings and drawings of the expedition members and the Himalayan landscape which were subsequently displayed at the
Alpine Club in London. He left the RCA in 1934 but rejoined their teaching staff during World War II while the college was relocated to the Lake District. He also painted
Emily Penrose in her role as principal of
Somerville College, Oxford. In 1953, Helps became head of the painting at the
Leeds College of Art, a post he held until his retirement. In 1971, he moved to
Bromley and died the following year. ==References==