John Lucas (VC)
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John Lucas VC (1827-29 February 1892) was born in Glasgomy, Bagenalstown, County Carlow and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was approximately 34 years old, and a colour-sergeant in the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot (later part of the The South Lancashire Regiment - The Prince of Wales's Volunteers), British Army during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 18 March 1861 in New Zealand, Colour-Sergeant Lucas was with a party employed as skirmishers, when they were suddenly ambushed. Three men were wounded, two of them mortally and help was called for, but when a relief party arrived one of them fell and a lieutenant was also wounded. Sergeant Lucas, under heavy fire from the rebels, who were not more than 30 yards away, immediately ran to the assistance of the officer and sent a man with him to the rear. He then took charge of the arms, belonging to the killed and wounded until the arrival of support troops.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of sergeant-major. He died in Dublin on 29 February 1892.
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Dublin)
