A memorial to a Bega father who “gave nine of his sons to the war” has been in the works for 12 months.
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The story of the Lucas family of Bega is well known throughout the district and the living descendants are rightly proud of the nine brothers who served during World War 2 – believed to be a world record.
Henry Lucas reared his 15 children through the years of the Great Depression of the 1930s in a disused dairy on the Brogo River. His wife Alice had died giving birth to their youngest in 1929.
Of the 10 sons, Henry Jr, Lance, Bill, Rufus, Ron, Dudley, Jim, Jack and Basil all signed up for service during World War 2.
Their father, Henry Lucas, was sent a letter from King George VI thanking him for giving his sons to the war effort.
An editorial this week revealed the idea to acknowledge the Lucas brothers’ story in a new memorial to the Bega Valley’s service men and women.
We also revealed requests for artist proposals and an expected $25,000 cost for the “Brothers in Arms” memorial have already been advertised.
Fairfax Media said to the best of our knowledge, such a proposal was yet to be made public.
It does rate a brief mention in the minutes of the council meeting of August 12, 2015, with an indication more in-depth information was being sought and was to be forthcoming.
Guy Lucas – “the first son of the first son” – has been one of those in talks with the council, RSL sub-branches and other stakeholders.
He said this week it is almost a year to the day since he and his family raised the idea of a memorial.
“It’s been a long battle,” Guy said this week, praising the assistance of councillor Kristy McBain and BVSC director of community, relations and leisure Anthony Basford.
To make the memorial about more than just the nine brothers was a key element to the proposal as it developed.
To that end, Guy said he hoped to see it created in honour of “Grandfather Lucas” but also recognising the contribution of families shire-wide who gave, and in many cases lost, their children to war.
He said he appreciated the issue coming to light this week as it now gave his family the opportunity to gauge public support for the idea.
He said he welcomed any feedback on possible designs and a location for the memorial – elements to the proposal being sought officially from artists through the council’s EOI request.
Artists have until May 11 to lodge their proposal documentation.
“I honestly feel if we get the right memorial, it will draw in visitors and be a real attraction,” Guy said.
- Have your say. Email ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au