Pte 16977 Percy Lucas

• Age: 23
• From: Walton Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 18th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: N.13

Percy was born in Walton, Liverpool on 02nd March 1893, the son of William Lucas and his wife Elizabeth (nee Bamber) who had married in 1875. He was baptised on 26th March in St. Cuthbert's Church, Everton. He was the youngest of five children; his siblings were John William, Richard, Louisa, and Eleanor.

His father died in the June quarter of 1893, just after Percy's birth.

The 1901 Census shows Elizabeth recorded as a 45 year old  widow and a greengrocer on her own account. She lives at 172 Oakfield Road, presumably her shop. Living with her are her five children Eleanor F. aged 24  and a bakers assistant, John W. aged 19, Louisa is a 17 year old greengrocers assistant, Richard is 12, and Percy is 8 (all children were born in Liverpool).  Elizabeth's 74 year old father William Bamber is also present as is her niece Emily Bamber.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Elizabeth is 56, she advised that she had been married for 36 years and had 5 children, which is then crossed out),  she lives at 23 Springbank Road with her three youngest children, Louisa 27, a chandler’s shop assistant; Richard 23, a baker’s shop assistant; and Percy 18, a clerk to a property owner. They have a boarder Stanley Norman Bowes 27 an insurance collector.

Percy enlisted in at St. George's Hall in Liverpool on 31st August 1914, as Private 16977, joining the 18^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, giving his age as 21 and a half years, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his mother, Elizabeth, 23 Springbank Road. He was described as being 5' 7 ½" tall, weight 120lbs, chest 35", with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Protestant. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

Percy landed in France with his battalion on 07th November 1915 and at the beginning of 1916 the battalion took up positions south of the Somme line, near Maricourt. 

From 07th-18th April 1916 he was attached to the 30th Division grenade school in the field, returning to his Unit on 18^th April. 

On 15^th May 1916 the battalion relieved the 2^nd Yorks Bn in the trenches in A2 subsection, Carnoy.  The 16^th and 17^th of May were ‘generally quiet’ according to the battalion War Diary, but on 18^th May Pte P. Lucas was killed [by a] “rifle shot when in Sap in early morning”.  

Percy now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery. He was 23 years of age.

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 26th May 1916:

Killed in Action

– LUCAS – May 18, age 22 Private Percy Lucas KLR the dearly loved son of Elizabeth and late William Lucas of Anfield  (Sadly Missed) 

In memoriam notices were posted in the Liverpool Echo on 20th May 1918:

In Memoriam – LUCAS – in affectionate remembrance of our dear brother Percy KLR killed in action May 18 1916.  Never forgotten by Jack and Nessie. 

LUCAS - In loving memory of our dear brother Private Percy Lucas KLR killed in action May 18 1916 also a loving Birthday remembrance of our Mother Elizabeth Lucas who died March 23 1918 (In death united) – Nell, Lorrie and Dick  

LUCAS – In loving remembrance of Percy KLR killed in France May 18 1916 (One of the very best)  Beattie

On 14^th August 1916 his effects were to be sent to John W. Lucas (his eldest brother), 59 Cedardale Road, Fazakerley, with the caveat that he “should be informed that the personal effects are the joint property of the mother and all the brothers and sisters of the deceased”. 

Soldiers Effects to brothers John W. and Richard, sisters Mrs Eleanor Collins and Mrs Louisa Brown, no Pension record found. The personal items returned were listed as:- disc, 9ct ring, 7 letters, visiting card, prayer card, book mark, purse, cap badge, cig. case, pipe, spectacles in case, 2 buttons, diary, french book, parade service book, hymn sheet, wallet.

His mother, Elizabeth, died in March 1918, aged 62, and John William made a sworn declaration in which he named as Percy’s surviving relatives; himself, his brother Richard of 8 Robson Street, Everton; his sister Eleanor Oliver, 67 Walton Breck Road; and his sister Louisa Brown, also of 8 Robson Street.

Percy is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 65 Right

Richmond Baptist Church Memorial, Everton.

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