Robert Lucas was born on 8th August 1878 in Killyman, Dungannon. He was one of at least ten children, all born in the Dungannon area By 1901 the family had moved to Belfast. His mother was a widow. Robert was a shop assistant in a grocery store. Private Robert Lucas arrived in France with the Royal Irish Rifles on 5th October 1915. Corporal Robert Lucas was serving with the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on Wednesday 31st July 1918.
Further Information
Analysing census and GRONI results, this seems to be the best fit for the Lucas family. However, there is no definitive evidence to confirm this.
It is believed Robert Lucas was the son of Martha Lucas (nee Cousins).
Robert Lucas was born on 8th August 1878 in Killyman, Dungannon. He was one of at least ten children, all born in the Dungannon area.
Known family: Martha Lucas, Margaret Lucas (born 25th February 1868), Alfred Lucas (born 10th February 1870), Anna Frances Lucas (born 18th December 1871), William Lucas (born 13th December 1873), Edith Lucas (born 7th May 1876), Robert Lucas (born 8th August 1878), Sarah Wilhelmina Winnie Lucas (born 12th July 1880), Evelyn Mabel Lucas (born 16th February 1882), Edwin Garfield Lucas (born 4th December 1883), Georgina Lucas (born 26th March 1886).
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 19, living with the family at house 22 in St Ives Gardens, Cromac, Belfast. His mother was a widow. Robert was a shop assistant in a grocery store.
The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 10 in Stranmillis Park, Cromac, Belfast.
Robert enlisted in Belfast.
Private Robert Lucas arrived in France with the Royal Irish Rifles on 5th October 1915.
On 23rd September 1916, there was a Mortar Training Fatal Accident at Second Army Grenade and Stokes Mortar School at Terdeghem in France. He was one of the people who took part in the resulting Board of Enquiry.
Corporal Robert Lucas was serving with the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on Wednesday 31st July 1918.
Corporal Robert Lucas is buried in Bertenacre Military Cemetery, Fletre. The cemetery is situated half way between the villages of Eeke and Godewaersvelde, which are 10 kilometres north-east of Hazebrouck in France.
