Albert Reay Lucock

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 28/06/2016 - 15:33

First Name:

Albert

Middle Name:

Reay

Last Name:

Lucock

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, February 28, 1894

Mother's Name:

Frances Lucock nee Edgar

Father's Name:

William Lucock

Date Enlisted:

Monday, August 30, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Corporal

Unit:

13th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

Military Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, October 21, 1956

Details:

Albert Lucock (Service No 3834) was born in Cumberland, England and came to Australia with his family.

At enlistment Albert was single, 21 years old, employed as a wheeler, and lived at Balgownie, N.S.W. Albert was a member of the Balgownie Town Band and played the Flugelhorn.

He embarked on HMAT A29 Suevic with 12th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion, on 22nd December 1915. After a stop in Egypt he arrived in France on 8th June 1916.

Albert saw service on the Western Front with 13th Battalion.

In 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal, then on 16th November to Corporal.

On 20th November Albert was awarded the Military Medal for his service at Pozieres in August. The citation for his Military Medal reads: 'Whilst acting as a Stretcher Bearer, N. W. of POZIERES on 30th August, Pte LUCOCK displayed gallantry in bringing in wounded under very heavy shell fire. After carrying a number of men who were lying close to our trenches he went out towards the German lines and carried a wounded man over an open stretch of ground for about four hundred yards, the ground covered being subjected to a heavy bombardment. Not anyone would at that time attempt to carry a wounded man through the saps on account of shell fire, much less in the open. Private LUCOCK did what appeared to all to be impossible and carried the man to safety. He then returned and carried in another man in a similar manner.' Recommended by Major General H V Cox. Commonwealth Gazette dated 19th April 1917.

On 4th February 1917 Albert was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his left hand. On 10th February he was operated on and his hand was amputated.

Albert was returned to Australia in May 1917 and after further treatment in Australia was discharged medically unfit on 19th January 1918.

Albert married Evelyn Cooper.

Albert's service is commemorated on the Balgownie Presbyterian Church Honour Roll and the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

Albert's brother, Joseph, also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, LUCOCK