Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

This biography has been completed by the great, great grandson of Arthur Ernest Lucas

Arthur was born to his parents, Oscar Charles Lucas and Mary Ann (Penfold) Lucas on the 2nd of July 1894 near Port Wakefield, South Australia, Australia. Arthur’s dad (Oscar) was a Station Master. Arthur attended the local Port Wakefield school as he was growing up.

On November 1st 1915, at the age of just 21 and half years old, Arthur enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. As Arthur was not married his next of kin was his mother Mary Ann (Penfold) Lucas.

On the 9th of March 1916 Arthur embarked on the RMS Mongolia ship. In Egypt Arthur undertook just under 2 months of basic battlefield training in the 50th Infantry Battalion reinforcements to prepare him for the front lines. He proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force at Alexandria 7th June 1916 and was shipped to Marseilles arriving 14th June 1916. 

Sometime during August 1916, Arthur would arrive in the battle of Poziéres as part of the 50th infantry battalion reinforcements. The battle of Poziéres was described by Australian soldiers as one of the most significant and traumatic battles throughout World War 1. The Conditions of Poziéres were horrific, as the trenches were full of mud and water and dead bodies being eaten slowly away by rats. Another contributor to the horrific conditions in Poziére includes the high casualty rates which left many units of soldiers with little to no soldiers left.

Later Arthur would be transferred to the 10th Infantry Battalion Reinforcement on the 13th of August 1916 in Ruines France, where he fought in the Battle of Mouquet Farm. Arthur would have experienced really heavy gun fire from the Germans. This would have led to a lot of Australia soldiers dying by his side. This would have made Arthur feel scared, nervous and heart break as some of the friends he made through his battalion might have died.

On the 19th of December Arthur was declared missing. His Mum (Mary) who received the letter must have been in shock and grief after receiving a letter like that. 

Arthur then arrived to the battle of Noreiul on the 2nd of April 1917. Arthur then suffered one of the worst injuries imaginable. He suffered a severe gunshot wound to his face breaking his jaw and destroying half of his nose. 2 days later, on the 4th of April Arthur was transferred to a hospital in Bolognes France, were he spent 2 months recovering from his severe injury. He returned to his unit September 14th and was sick to hospital with conjunctivitis due to mustard gas on 28th September. He remained in hospital in France until October 1917 when he was transferred to England with Trench Fever. He was granted furlough after being discharged from hospital from 13th November - 27th November, when he reported to depot. He proceeded oversears to France 10th January 1918 and rejoined his unit on the 13th Jnaurary. 

Arthur then arrived in Polygon Wood. Arthur had been around death and pain the entire war, but nothing prepared him for this. This battle had 6 thousand soldiers die and would have taken a toll on him and the other soldiers around him. Arthur would become ill with trench fever, which was a big enemy in the battle of Polygon Wood. Arthur’s experience with trench fever would have been appalling as he would have experienced muscle fatigue, headaches and fevers.

On the 5th of April 1918 Athur was dispatched to the Battle of Villers Bretonneux. The Battle of Villers Bretonneux is regarded as the most violent and deadly fight during the war. This is because there was both day fighting and night fighting with knives, hammers, shovels. I think Arthur would have felt dreadful witnessing and being part of this.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 24th October 1918. He was granted leave in the UK for 10 days in November 1918.

Arthur arrived back in Australia on the 13th of April 1919 and formally discharged 21st July 1919.  Six months later after arriving back in Australia he married Ellen Maud Mary Coe on the 8th of October 1919. In this Moment Arthur would have been joyful, nervous and excited for a new beginning in his life.

A few years later Arthur and his wife Ellen would decide to start having children. Arthur and Ellen had their first child Joyce on the 18th of February 1924, their second child Ralph on the 24th of August 1925, their third child Clement on the 20th of December 1926 and the fourth and final child (my Great Grandma) Sylvia who was born on the 24th of April 1929. Arthur was involved in the local sport helping train the Peterborough footy team.

On July 15th 1967 Arthur’s wife Mary sadly passed away. Less than a month later Arthur died on the 10th of September 1967. Family rumour says that he sadly passed away of a broken heart. Both Arthur and his wife Ellen are buried at the Balaklava public cemetery. 

War Achievements:

During the war Arthur had quite a few achievements. These include staying alive even though he had a gun wound to the face, trench fever and a broken femur. Another one of Arthurs achievements was at the end of the war when he was award three medals. These medals where the 1914-15 star medal, British war medal and the Victory medal. Arthur’s final achievement was coming home to Australia, as a lot of soldiers did not come home.

I believe that these medals that Arthur was awarded with, like most soldiers where earned. These soldiers (including Arthur) showed bravery, dedication, commitment and teamwork for the better of our country and the world.

Anzac Reflection:

I believe that my Great, Great Grandfather (Arthur Ernest Lucas) showed what it truly meant to be an Anzac. This is through the qualities that he showed. These qualities include honour, pride, mateship, bravery, courage, determination and sacrifice.

He showed honour and pride when he was wearing the Australian Imperial Forces uniform as he was at war. Arthur showed mateship as he interacted with other soldiers and during the war was affectionally given the nickname Flip. He showed courage and determination when he was running at the enemy to take a position or land. Finally, he showed sacrifice as he put his body, his wellbeing and future/current family on the line to protect and serve his country.

The first way Arthur showed true ANZAC spirt was when he enlisted into the army which shows bravery and courage. The second way was when he got injured or recovered, he would get back out to the front lines which again shows bravery, courage and commitment.