LUCAS, William James
| Service Number: | 4160 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cooktown, Queensland, Australia, 10 May 1888 |
| Home Town: | Rockhampton, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 7 October 1962, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 9 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4160, 26th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 4160, 26th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Commonwealth embarkation_ship_number: A73 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 4160, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Commonwealth, Brisbane | |
| 21 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 4160, 26th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD |
Help us honour William James Lucas's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Australian World War One veteran Lance Corporal William James Lucas (Service No. 4160) is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 20 September 2025, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
William James Lucas was born in Cooktown Queensland on 10 May 1888 to George Lucas and Mary Lucas (nee Harstoff).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Rockhampton, Queensland on 17 September 1915, stating his occupation as labourer and nominating his father as next of kin. On 28 March 1916, he embarked for overseas service with the 26th Battalion aboard HMAT Commonwealth from Brisbane.
Shortly after arrival overseas he was admitted to hospital in Egypt with mumps, followed by further admissions for epididymitis and general debility. His condition required evacuation to England in November 1916, where he remained under treatment until early 1917.
Lucas returned to duty in February 1917 and proceeded to France in June 1917, rejoining the 26th Battalion. He was wounded in action on 20 September 1917 but rejoined his unit within a few days. He continued serving on the Western Front until he was again wounded in action on 3 October 1918. After hospital treatment and recovery, he briefly rejoined his unit later that month, but was again admitted to hospital in November 1918. Following the end of the war, he returned to Australia aboard the Ypiranga in July 1919 and was discharged on 21 August 1919.
Lance Corporal William James Lucas died on 7 October 1962, aged 74, and was buried in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
Click images to start slideshow.