Charles Lucas (Royal Navy officer)
Charles Davis Lucas was a Royal Navy officer whose gallantry in 1854 was the earliest action that led to the award of the Victoria Cross, the highest British award, which is for gallantry in the face of the enemy. He reached the rank of rear admiral during his time in the navy.
Details
Lucas was born in Druminargal House, County Armagh, on 19 February 1834. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1848 at age 13, served aboard, and saw action in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852–53 aboard the frigate Fox at Rangoon, Pegu, and Dalla. By age 20, he had become a mate. For his gallantry during the Battle of Bomarsund of the Crimean War, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for the following deed:Lucas was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at the first VC investiture held at Hyde Park, London, on 26 June 1857.
Later life
His act of bravery in Hecla was the first to be rewarded with the Victoria Cross. His later career included service on,,,, and. He was promoted to commander in 1862 and commanded the experimental armoured gunboat in 1867. He was promoted to captain in 1867, before retiring on 1 October 1873. He was later promoted to rear-admiral on the retired list in 1885. During his career he received the India [General Service Medal (1854)|India General Service Medal] with the bar Pegu 1852, the Baltic Medal 1854–55, and the Royal Humane Society Lifesaving Medal.In 1879 he married Frances Russell Hall, daughter of Admiral William Hutcheon Hall, who had been captain of Hecla in 1854. The couple had three daughters together. Lucas served for a time as Justice of the Peace for both Kent and Argyllshire, and died in Great Culverden, Kent on 7 August 1914. He is buried at St Lawrence's Church Mereworth, Maidstone, Kent.