Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The AWM Photographic Collection includes a studio portrait of Lucas, probably 4970 Pte Vivian John Lucas, 14th Battalion. A farm labourer from Macarthur, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Lucas embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Anchises on 14 March 1916. Later transferring to the 46th Battalion, he was killed in action on 17 November 1916 in France, aged 25. Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. This is one of a series of photographs taken by the Darge Photographic Company which had a concession to take photographs at the Broadmeadows and Seymour army camps during the First World War. In the 1930's, the Australian War Memorial purchased the original glass negatives from Algernon Darge, along with the photographers' notebooks. The notebooks contain brief details, usually a surname or unit name, for each negative.

Born at Macarthur in 1891, the, son of John Henry Lucas and Elizabeth Hope Patman he enlisted at Macarthur on 4 August 1915, embarking for Egypt with 14th Battalion (15th Reinforcement Group from Melbourne on 14 March 1916. In Egypt he transferred to 46th Battalion with the doubling of the AIF, he then embarked for France, where he was killed in the latter stages of the engagement at Flers on 17 November 1916. The Unit Diary noted the Battalion’s advance from Fricourt (12-19 November 1916): “Battalion marched from Fricourt at 8am and reached Bernafay Wood at 11.30am where it rested and proceeded to Front Line at 1.30pm, marching in platoons via Delville Wood to positions NW and SE of Geuedecourt and relieved 12 Battalion. Companies were led across the open in the dark to their positions, the going was very bad owing to many disused trenches, shell holes and wire. Intermittent shelling was experienced throughout the operation but no loss was sustained during actual advance, and relief was completed without loss but some casualties were experienced, among which it is much regretted was Captain Francis Ormond Purnell, OC C Company, an officer of great promise, who was killed (initially buried where he fell, but following the Armistice his remains were exhumed and re-buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, France). For the week of the operation losses were: Killed 1 Officer (Purnell) and 17 Other Ranks; Wounded 3 Officers and 33 Other Ranks.”

Courtesy of James Affleck

LUCAS. - In sad and loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Vivan John Lucas, killed in action, in France, 17th November 1916.
Rest in Peace.
Our darling son and brother,
Loved by all who knew him.
He sleeps not in his native land,
But under foreign skies,
Far from those who love him,
In a hero's grave he lies.
He never shunned his country's call,
But gladly gave his life, his all.
He died, the helpless to defend,
An Australian soldier's noble end.
- Inserted by his loving mother, father, brothers and sisters, Willie, Jim (on active service), Ted, Aleck, Eleanor, Locky, Marion, Agness, Winnie.

LUCAS. –In sad and loving memory of Private Vivian John Lucas (dear Viv). killed in action in France on the 16th November. 1916.
May his soul rest in peace.
When we recall fond memories dear,
Which cling to us from year to year,
Of by-gone days in lands afar,
These memories sweet, how dear they are.
Remembrance,
-Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law. E. and W. Millard.