Ernest Joseph Lucas

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 08/12/2015 - 14:01

First Name:

Ernest

Middle Name:

Joseph

Last Name:

Lucas

Date of Birth:

Saturday, March 12, 1892

Mother's Name:

Emily Lucas nee Shepherd

Father's Name:

Joseph Lucas

Date Enlisted:

Monday, November 29, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, April 16, 1918

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Ernest Lucas (Service No 5151) was born in Kiama, N.S.W.

Ernest enlisted in Nowra, N.S.W. after joining the Waratah March. He was single, 23 years old, and working as a labourer, and had served for 2 years with the Kiama Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on board SS Makarini with 16th Reinforcements on 1st April 1916. The troops arrived in Egypt on 2nd May 1916 and Ernest was sent on to France, arriving on 17th May 1916. He joined 6 Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, on 27th July and served on the Western Front.

On 26th October 1916 Ernest was promoted to Lance Corporal, and then to Corporal on 15th December 1916. Due to some disipline issues, Ernest faced a number of charges and his punishment was a reduction in rank, to Private on 29th April 1917.

Ernest attended various schools of instruction and finally returned to the front on 23rd October 1917.

On 10th December 1917 Ernest was admitted to hospital sick, not returning to his unit until 9th February 1918.

On 16th April 1918, Ernest was killed by a sniper while manning a forward post near Strazeele, France.

There is no known grave for Ernest. He is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, LUCAS ERNEST JOSEPH