Sgt John Lucas with wife Margaret and daughter Elizabeth. Photo courtesy of his grandson, David Jaundrell
John Lucas was born in Chorley in 1891, and went to Caernarvon with the Chorley Pals as a Private, being wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916; thereafter his number was changed to 35437.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for action on the Ypres Salient in 1918, published in the London Gazette on the 11th March 1920. His citation reads:
“On 28th September 1918, during an attack north of Ploegsteert Wood, he was in charge of portions of his Platoon which had become detached. He surrounded a Pill Box, causing the surrender of an Officer and eight men. Although both flanks were exposed, he continued to hold on to his positions until he was ordered to withdraw.”
The Battalion War Diary records that the Chorley Pals attacked at 3.00 p.m. from positions at Hyde Park Corner and on Hill 63, to the north-west of Ploegsteert Wood; by 3.43 p.m. they had captured their objectives.
Sadly, neither the Service or Pension records of John Lucas are in the National Archives, but he was known to live at 2 Critchley Street in Chorley and worship at St. James’ Church. Local searches show that a John Lucas married a Margaret Alice Coupe at St. James’ Church, Chorley in 1914.
He died in Chorley in 1938 aged 47.
