ANZAC Search

Herbert Sammons Lucas - Information

When Herbert decided to join the AIF, he was living at Bertswood in Ingleburn with his family. Herbert was a son of Percy Charles and his third wife Mary Ellen Lucas.264 Herbert’s father cemented ties to the community as a building contractor, Minister for Parliament and was Mayor of Ingleburn from 1908-1912.265 Herbert had served in the Field Artillery with the militia. He completed extensive training and eventually became a veterinary surgeon. When he was 23, he applied for a commission in the AIF on the 21st of March 1916. The same day, he was shipped out, arriving in Suez in late April. A week later, he was sent back to Australia upon the Seang Bee for transport duty. On the 6th of June, his appointment was terminated. However, he applied for service again on the 6th of July. He was appointed Captain with the 1st Veterinary Section. He boarded the HMAT Orsova in Sydney on the 29th of July 1916 for his voyage overseas.

Herbert was stationed to France in September. The following month, he was attached for duty with the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column as Vet Officer. The columns used horses and mules to transport war material. On the 12th of November, he was back with the 1st Mobile Vet Section, assigned to 1st Australian Division Headquarters. On the 16th of April 1917, he was once again transferred to the 1st Mobile Vet Section. The following month, he was detached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. Here, Herbert looked after the horses that transported cannons and ammunition. Unfortunately, due to their work, these poor creatures came under fire during attacks. On the 5th of October 1918, Herbert was made Temporary Commander of the 1st Mobile Vet Section. After the war ended, horses and mules still needed to be looked after. They were vital in packing up the Western Front and were sold and given away to locals. He was finally sent back home on the 1st of November 1919, reuniting with his family in Ingleburn.