That November the Admiralty placed him in St Augustine's Missionary College, Canterbury, where he learnt to read and write, had religious instruction, and trained as a tailor. In 1852 to 1853 he also helped Captain John Washington revise his 'Esquimaux and English Vocabulary' (1850), a handbook for Arctic expeditions. Ommanney remained his friend and patron and was present at his baptism in November 1853, as Erasmus Augustine Kallihirua. ‘Qalasirssuaq’ is the modern Inuit spelling of his given name and anglicised surname. In autumn 1855 he left England for further religious training at St John's, Newfoundland, before beginning a northern missionary career. However, his health was not good after leaving the Arctic and he died there prematurely in 1856.

Kallihirua was one of few Inuit who became internationally known in the nineteenth century through their association with the Franklin searches. He was probably the first of the Northern Inuit to leave the Arctic. He adapted well and cheerfully to life in England and was much admired by those who knew him.