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Lucas, Percy

Percy Lucas was born 16th October 1891 in Stottesdon, Salop.

The 1891 census on Ancestry.co.uk shows that the Lucas family were living at Chapel Cottage, Stottesdon, Salop. Head of the family was William Lucas age 30 born in Little Hereford, Tenbury, Worcester a Gardener by trade. His wife Annie (nee Fenlon) was 25 years of age born in Liverpool, Lancashire and their children were Charles age 2 also born in Liverpool and James age 10 months born in Stottesdon.

The 1901 Census reveals that the Lucas family had moved to 3 Mill Street, Saint Asaph, Flintshire. There had been some additions to the family, namely, Percy age 10, Sarah Elizabeth age 8 born in Malpas, Cheshire, Maria age 3, Mary age 1 and Baden Powell age one month, all born in Saint Asaph. Head of the household, William Lucas was still a Gardener by trade.

Ten years on in 1911  the census shows that the Lucas family were living at Silverbank, Saint Asaph. William Lucas age 48 was still a Gardener, Ann his wife was 43 years of age and the children still at home were William Charles age 22 a Groom by trade, Percy age 19 a Gardener, Maria age 13, Baden Powell age 11 and two additions to the family, Thomas age 6 and Henry age 4 both born in Saint Asaph.

The following information was supplied by Matthew Lucas who is a descendant (Great Nephew) of Percy.

1911 my grandfather James, (Percy’s brother) was living and working at the Plough Hotel in St Asaph.

There were other children that died young. Annie, and Laura who are buried in a marked grave at the entrance at Mount Road Cemetery they were born around 1894. Also John about 1896 and May Alexandra who was born in 1902 and died the following year. Mary you have down also died very young.

Born Stottesdon, Shropshire 16th October 1891. Lived with his parents William and Ann Lucas, at Silver bank, Mill street. St. Asaph North Wales. A pre war special reservist with 3rd R. W. F. and an R. A. C. guide. Went to France on 2nd Nov 1914, missing Dec 3rd 1914. Died of typhus at Klein Wittenberg prisoner of war camp 22nd Feb 1915. His older brother William Charles Lucas also died during the war and is buried in the local churchyard at St. Asaph.

Please follow the link to read William Charles Lucas’ story. http://www.flintshirewarmemorials.com/memorials/st-asaph-memorial/st-asaph-soldiers-ww1/lucas-william-charles/

Percy Lucas’ Record of Service Card at Flintshire Archives Office Hawarden shows that he enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Reserve on 7th August 1914 and he served until 26th May 1915 when he was deceased. His address was Silverbank, Saint Asaph and his regimental number was 3952, the card is dated 3rd March  and is not signed.

1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers were in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

Percy Lucas was awarded the 1914 Star Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Three of Percy’s brothers also served in WW1, James Lucas served with 11th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Salonika and the Labour Corps from 1916 to 1919.

Information from Matthew Lucas.

James served in D Company 11th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, joining up under the Derby Scheme in Dec 1915. Arriving in Salonika in Aug 1916. Downgraded after 2 hospital admissions in 1916 and 1917. Category B2 in April 1918 and 982 company Labour  Corps, July 1918 to 1919.

Baden Powell Lucas served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1919 and the RAF in WW2.

Information from  Matthew Lucas

Younger brother Tom also served in WW2 in the RAF. Brothers only served in the UK. Henry the youngest brother served in the Reme in Egypt and Middle East in WW2. 


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