My Great Grandfather fought in World War One his name was Frederick William Lucas so you can imagine how I felt when I looked at the names on the Pukekohe Memorial and saw a F. W. Lucas. I was even more surprised when on further research I discovered he had the exact same name as my Great Grandfather.
Frederick William Lucas was born on the 27 March 1885, he had already served in the military during the Boer War with the 10th Contingent. He was keen to serve again enlisting on the 27 October 1914 and embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements on the 14 December 1914 headed for Gallipoli. He was killed in action on the 8 August 1915.
My Great Grandfather luckily survived the war and I continue to research his war. The sight of his name on the Pukekohe Memorial was without a doubt an emotional moment. I would love to know more about the Frederick William Lucas from Pukekohe maybe one day I will.
Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteFrederick is also memorialised within the gates of Pukekohe cemetery
in the little Chaplet
Cheers
Sandy
Hello Helen Vail. Frederick William Lucas was the brother of my Grandfather--Arthur Norman Lucas who went to Palestine with another brother named George Lucas--the latter two brothers survived WW1. Their grandparents--Mattias and Marie Lucas- immigrated from Germany to New Zealand on the Maori passenger ship in December 1864. Frederick was my Mother's uncle. Her maiden name was Audrey Melvina Lucas. She said Frederick would have made an amazing marathon runner if he had survived. I have a framed photograph of all the brothers in uniform, which I often take to the ANZAC Dawn Memorial Service. Regards--Audrey (Anna) Rotheray.
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