Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
William George Lucas was born on 22nd December 1894 in Dorking, Surrey to grocer George and Elizabeth Dinah (nee (Colstock) Weller), and was baptised on 10th November 1895 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism, the family lived at 7 St Martin’s Place and George was working as a porter.
On 13th June 1898, William was admitted into St Martin’s Church of England School in Dorking for Infants. At the time of the admission, the family lived in Archway Place. On 9th April 1902, William was transferred into St Martin’s Church of England School in Dorking for Boys. He left the school on 9th March 1906.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 11 Archway Place. George was working as a grocer’s porter and Elizabeth was looking after their children: William; Hilda; Arthur and Ernest.
On 24th September 1910 William became a Boy 2nd class on the school ship HMS Impregnable. At the time of the 1911 Census, seaboy William was a patient at the Royal Naval Hospital, East Stonehouse, Devon. On 15th September 1911, William became a Boy 1st class on the school ship HMS Impregnable. William enrolled into the Royal Navy on 22nd December 1912 for a duration of 12 years. His number was regimental number was J.9809.
His occupation was stated to be messenger boy. William had black hair, blue eyes and a ruddy fresh complexion. He had also a tattoo on his left wrist.
On 22nd December 1912 William became an Ordinary Seaman on HMS Indomitable and on 1st October 1914 an Able Seaman on HMS Shannon.
The last ship William was serving on was HMS Sandhurst (Sabrina) from 12th September 1916 to his death on 14th February 1917.
Able Seaman William Lucas accidently drowned on 14th February 1917. His body was never recovered.
He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent on panel reference 21.
William’s parents George and Elizabeth Lucas lived at 1 Regina Cottages, Rushenden Road, Queenborough, Kent and at 35 First Avenue, Queenborough, Kent.
Lucas Family History
William’s father George was born in the 2nd quarter of 1872 in Holmwood, Surrey. His mother Elizabeth was born in the 4th quarter of 1874 in Eastbourne, Sussex to labourer William and Dinah. Elizabeth was baptised on 5th April 1874 at St Margaret’s church in Chipstead, Surrey. At the time of the baptism, the family lived in Chipstead and William was working as a labourer. George and Elizabeth married in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Eastbourne, Sussex.
William had eight siblings of whom seven are known: Hilda born about 1897; Arthur born about 1899; Ernest born about 1901; Sydney born about 1903 and Archie born about 1905, all in Dorking. Nora born about 1909 and Herbert born about 1911, both in Coulsdon, Surrey.
At the time of the 1911 Census, William’s family lived at 6 Chipstead Villas, Coulsdon. George was working as a coal porter and Elizabeth was looking after their children: Arthur; Ernest; Sydney; Archie; Nora and baby Herbert. The household further comprised of a lodger, bricklayer’s labourer, Frederick Griswood. The accommodation had three rooms. Elizabeth stated that she had given birth to nine children.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | George and Elizabeth (nee Weller) Lucas | |
| Regiment | H.M.S. Sandhurst. Royal Navy | |
| Number | J.9809 | |
| Date of Death | 14th February 1917 | |
| Place of Death | At Sea | |
| Cause of Death | Accidentally Drowned | |
| Age | 22 | |
| Memorial | Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 21 |
