Cpl 17070 Allan Faulkner Lucas

• Age: 31
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 25th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Mont Huon Cem Le Treport
  Panel Ref: IV.O.6

Allan Faulkner Lucas was born in the fourth quarter of 1886 in Liverpool and was the son of Allan Faulkner Lucas and his wife Annie M (nee Smith) of "Summerfield," Moss Lane, Orrell Park, Aintree, Liverpool. They had married in 1877 at the West Derby Registry Office, Liverpool.

The 1891 Census finds the family are living at Albert Drive, Walton on the Hill. His father Allan F. is a 34 year old steam ship agent born in Liverpool, whilst his mother, Annie M. is also 34 years old and was born in Liverpool. His siblings all born in Liverpool are shown as; Margaret F. b. 1884, Eleanor B. b.1890 and Dorothy H. b. 1891 are all present alongside Allan who is 4 and recorded as born in 1897. There are also 2 servants recorded as living in the household, Matilda Sergeant aged 21 and Harriet A. Sergeant aged 18. 

By 1901 the family have moved and are living at 222 Priory Road, Anfield. His father, Allan F. is 43 years of age and a shipping clerk, his mother, Annie M. is aged 43 is also present. Allan F. is aged 14 and lives with his four siblings who are recorded as; Margaret F. aged 17, Eleanor B. aged 11, Dorothy H. aged 10 and Wilfred F. aged 6 born in 1895. Also recorded is a domestic servant, Mary Garnace aged 24. 

On 16th May 1901, Allan was confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith at All Saints Church, Anfield.  

In 1911 the family are living at Summerfield, Moss Lane, Liverpool. His mother and father, now shown as a shipping manager, are in the household. They advise that they have been married for 33 years and have had five children all of whom have survived. Allan is now aged 23 and shown as a shipping clerk.  His sisters Eleanor B. aged 21 and Dorothy H. aged 23 are in the household. Also recorded in the household is Rebecca Jackson aged 18 and described as a domestic housemaid.
 
Allan married Mary Mabel Gray on the 22^nd October, 1913, at St Mary’s R.C. Church, Highfield Street, Liverpool. Afterwards, they resided at 2 Richmond Park, Anfield, Liverpool.

Allan’s Service records have survived and show that he enlisted in Liverpool on the 31^st August, 1914 aged 28 years and 362 days and gave his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet eight and half inches tall and weighed 149lbs, fresh complexion, hazel coloured eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Roman Catholic.

He was initially posted to the 21^st Reserve Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment and was subsequently posted to the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment on 15^th March, 1916 as Lance-Corporal No 17070.

His records show he was made an unpaid Lance-Corporal on 01^st June, 1915,  promoted to Corporal on the 17^th July, 1915 and on the 26^th February, 1916 reverted back to Private at his own request. He was posted to the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment on 15^th March, 1916 as Lance-Corporal No 17070 and on the 27^th May, 1916 reverted back to a Private. On the 11^th July he was appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal becoming a paid Lance-Corporal on the 12^th July. On the 10^th April, 1917 he was promoted to Corporal.  The service records show the following:

31^st August, 1916 – He was awarded Good Conduct Badge.

16^th October, 1916 – He was wounded in action and sent to 15 Casualty Clearing Station and resumed duty on the 24^th of the same month.

17^th December, 1916 – Attended Grenade School with 30^th Division.

4^th January, 1917 – He returned to the 18^th Battalion.

26^th January, 1917 – He was attached to the 30^th Division depot.

18^th April, 1917 – He resumed duty with 18^th Battalion.

19th – 27^th April – Field Ambulance.

1^st May, 1917 – He resumed duty with 18^th Battalion.

6^th June, 1917 – He was attached to 30^th Division Bomb stores.

7^th July, 1917 - He resumed duty with 18^th Battalion.

26^th August, -11^th September, 1917 – Granted leave to the UK. (Resumed duty on the 11^th)

22^nd September, 1917 -  He was wounded with gunshot wound to the face and was sent to 96 Field Ambulance.

Allan was transferred to No.2 Canadian Hospital where he died of his wounds on the 25^th September, 1917.

He now rests at Mont Huon Military Military Cemetery, Le Treport where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"R.I.P. HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE. FATHER, MOTHER BROTHER AND SISTERS"

During the First World War, Le Treport was an important hospital centre and by July 1916, the town contained three general hospitals (the 3rd, 16th and 2nd Canadian), No.3 Convalescent Depot and Lady Murray's B.R.C.S. Hospital. The 7th Canadian, 47th and 16th USA General Hospitals arrived later, but all of the hospitals had closed by March 1919. As the original military cemetery at Le Treport filled, it became necessary to use the new site at Mont Huon. There are now 2,128 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and seven from the Second World War. The cemetery also contains more than 200 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Soldiers Effects went to his mother Annie and pension to his widow Mary Mabel Lucas. She was eventually found as a housekeeper at Monte Bello Hotel, St Georges Mount, New Brighton.

Probate was granted to his mother Annie on 30th October 1917 as follows:

LUCAS Allan Faulkner the younger of Summerfield, Moss Lane, Orrell Park, Liverpool corporal 8th battalion KLR (sic) died 25 September 1917 in France. Probate Liverpool 30 October to Annie Lucas (wife of Allan Faulkner Lucas). Effects £140.00.  

Memorial notices were placed in the Liverpool Echo on 25th September 1918, the first anniversary of his death. 

LUCAS - In loving memory of my dear husband, ALLAN FAULKNER LUCAS junr., who died of wounds September 25, 1917. - May.

LUCAS - In loving memory of our dear son, ALLAN FAULKNER LUCAS junr. (K.L.R.), who died September 25 1917 at a Military Hospital in France through wounds received in action. Never forgotten by his Mother, Father, Brother and Sisters. R.I.P.

Allan is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 24 Left

St Francis Xavier's R.C. School, Everton. 

His 1915 Star was returned as he did not go overseas until 15th March 1916.  

We currently have no further information on Allan Faulkner Lucas, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.