John Lucas (VC)
John Lucas VC was a British Army soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Early life
Lucas as born in Clashganny, Bagenalstown, County Carlow in 1826.Victoria Cross
Lucas was approximately 35 years old, and a colour sergeant in the 40th Regiment of Foot of the British Army:
The action was part of the First Taranaki War during the New Zealand Wars. This campaign started over a disputed land sale at Waitara. In December 1860 British forces under Major General Thomas Simson Pratt carried out sapping operations against a major Māori defensive line called Te Arei on the west side of the Waitara River and inland from Waitara, which was barring the way to the historic hill pā of Pukewairangi. The 18 March was the last day before a truce was declared.Later career and life
He later achieved the rank of sergeant-major. He died in Dublin on 29 February 1892 and is buried there in St. James churchyard.
