The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 11 December 1915.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Killed in action, 20 July 1916.

Note on file: 'austr. Sold. Lucre, G.H. 30. austr. Batt. Nr. 467. am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.'

Note, Red Cross File No 1640115: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16.'

Statement, 568 W.H. WEBB, 30th Bn (patient, hospital, Southall, England), 19 December 1916: 'I knew him personally - we were in [the] same platoon together. He was killed by [a] bullet - shot through the head at Jouelles (sic) in the German lines early on the 20th. He was killed instantly. We had to retreat in a counter-attack by the Germans and consequently we were unable to bury him.'

Second statement, 334 W. SUTHERLAND, 30th Bn (patient, Golders Green Military Hospital, London), 10 January [1917?]: Lucre was killed by a snipers (sic) bullet on the German front line just before we retired at Fromelles on [July] 20th. 1916. He was left there as we had retired and the Germans retook the trench. He did very fine work that day. He was with the carrying party, carrying ammunition bags and bundles across to put up a good fight.'

Third statement, 527 Pte E.S. REES, 30 Bn (patient, 4th Australian General Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales), 12 December 1916: On the 19th July at Fleurbaix the 30th Battalion made an attack on the German trenches, but next morning they were forced to retire. When Informant reached our own lines after the retirement he enquired for Lucre, and was told he had been shot while lying on the German parapet firing his rifle. He had been killed instantly.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal