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I. T. Lucas |
|||
Full Names |
Rank /Unit |
Years at Q.E.G.S. |
|
Ivan Theodore Lucas |
Sergeant |
19?? |
|
Date / Place of Birth |
Date / Place of Death |
Age at Death |
|
1910 |
Saturday 27th June 1942 |
32 |
"I.T" was the son of L.T.R and Mrs. Muriel Lucas of 18 Avenue Rd Wimborne.
At school he was in Richmond House and for some reason, was always referred to as "'I'.'T' Lucas." He was frequently in trouble with the Police for riding his bicycle around town without lights.
"I.T." was an outstanding all-
At the Prize Giving in the Spring of 1929 he received a prize for Shooting, a Cricket Award for his Bowling and the Walters Cup for his All-
On the School Sports Day of 1930, the Guest of Honour, Captain Hambro, of Merley House, wished "I. T.", "....every luck in the athletic world... as it was his last appearance on the School sports ground as a pupil".
Ivan joined the O.W. Committee and organised the 1932/33 New Year dance. He played Rugby for the Old Boys, despite, by that time, being at the Dennis Motor Works at Guildford. Even there, he was said to be, '... in great demand for various sports in the vicinity'.
During the Summer Reunion of 1933, Ivan, was involved in Shooting, Swimming and Cricket matches against the School. Batting for the Old Boys, I.T. '... was bowled by Wilson after scoring 9 runs.' He also played for "W.G.S Wanderers C. C." which was formed to provide cricket during the summer holidays for boys and Old Boys of the School.
It is understood that Ivan was an "Anglo-
Later he worked in the Midlands for Morris Motors but in what capacity is not known. In the mid-
In a letter to the School in the Spring of 1936 he wrote that he, " ...had been showing his athletic prowess in Rhodesia, winning both high and long jump in Salisbury." He also, "... got into the finals of the hurdles but was defeated by a spike coming through his shoe." In another letter he regretted the fact that he was late in sending his O.W. sub. and went on to comment that,"... he was overjoyed to pull on his spikes again and that it quite took him back to old times."
It is uncertain exactly what he was doing since he mentions that, "... besides reaping mealies he is also making bricks."
After qualifying as an Air Gunner he was posted to 223 Squadron which was equipped with Baltimores Mk.1 & Mk2. and was stationed at Baheira. Part of the unit flew from 'Landing Ground 99' which was in a cluster of desert airfields approximately 20 miles South of Alexandria.
A great friend of I.T. in his squadron wrote,"... Ivan was shot down by three fighters and died at his post, as he would have desired. His guns were blazing right until his aircraft hit the ground. He was a very brave man and very popular with everyone."
Writing in the School Magazine in the Autumn of 1942, Mr. T.W.Tapping -
It was, however, in athletics that he excelled. A good runner, an excellent hurdler and long jumper, he stood in a class by himself among Dorset Secondary Schoolboys as a High Jumper. For some time in the Dorset Inter School Sports there was a question as to who would be second and third; the first place was automatically filled by Lucas.
He discovered his gift quite young, and he cultivated it assiduously. Long after he had proved himself easily the best schoolboy high jumper in Dorset, he continued to improve his high standard by practice all the year round, in the privacy of his garden at home. High jumping may not be the most useful of accomplishments, but we have the highest authority for assuring ourselves that it is our duty to cultivate what talents we have. "
Mr. T.W.Tapping concluded his "Appreciation" as he titled the short article, " .... I, at any rate, shall always have, as one of my inspirations, the memory of that tall, graceful figure, clearing phenomenal heights."
"I.T." is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.