LUCAS, John

Colour-Sergeant, 40th Regiment (South Lancashire Regiment)

CITATION

Victoria Cross

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

KNOWN AWARDS

Victoria Cross

New Zealand Wars Medal

NOTES

Born 1826, Clashganny, County Carlow, Ireland

Died 4 March 1892, Dublin, Ireland

Buried at Saint James Church. Dublin, Ireland.

At Huirangi Bush, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the 16 March 1861, Colour-Sergeant Lucas was in charge of a work party when they were suddenly ambushed. Three men were wounded, two mortally, but when a relief party arrived one of them fell and a Lieutenant was also wounded. Sergeant Lucas, under heavy fire from the rebels, 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. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal and later achieved the rank of Sergeant Major.

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT