Linda Gowans has submitted the following:-
Edward Herbert Lucas was born in Sunderland on February 3rd, 1891, the son of Mariner Henry R. Lucas, born Mistley, Essex, and his wife Elizabeth Lambert Lucas, from Sunderland. In 1891 they were at Chester Street East, and in 1901 at 10 Rokeby Street, by which time Henry had become a Master Mariner, and the household included three children and a servant.
Edward’s father died in 1909, aged 53, and his mother the following year, aged 48. In the 1911 census Edward Herbert is aged 20 and living at 28 Eldon Street. He is a single man, a House Joiner, head of household, living with three siblings, the youngest born in 1902.
Soldiers Died gives some details of Edward service he was formerly S/18868 Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), then 31568 The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), Seaforth Highlanders before finally becoming S/41061 with the Seaforth Highlanders.
We cannot tell if Edward was still with his Battalion at the time of the Selle, as he became a prisoner of war at an unknown date. He died in Waisenhaus War Hospital, Halle, Belgium, on November 1st 1918 (not 13th as mis-transcribed in the CWGC record), and was buried in Halle Communal Cemetery, which was in German use during WW1. Commonwealth graves now in row B were regrouped from the German plot at the north end of the cemetery.
It was not until August 1st 1919 that the Sunderland Echo announced, ‘Pte. Edward H. Lucas, Seaforth Highlanders, whose sister resides at 28, Eldon Street, is reported to have died in Belgium while a prisoner of war.’ In 1920 probate was granted to William Morland, Solicitor’s Clerk, who lived at 31 Eldon Street. Edward’s last address was No. 28.
Edward Lucas is remembered in Sunderland on S140.009, S140.010 and S140.048 part 6 where his date of death is given as 12/10/1916 all other details are correct.
