NAME Charles Alfred Lucas
BORN Abt. 1893
DIED Poss. 1972
MILITARY SERIAL NO. 388
UNIT 18th Battalion
ENLISTED Sydney 17 May 1915
DISCHARGED Sydney 9 July 1919

Charles Lucas’s block was in the County of Camden, Parish of Bundanoon, Moss Vale Land District. It consisted of 109 acres. Charles Lucas applied for his Loan on 14 April 1920.[1] The Loan was approved on 21 April 1920.[2]

Austin Wilshire the CP Inspector reported that even though Lucas’s case was reasonably satisfactory and he was industrious and thrifty, he did not consider his prospects very good due to the poor soil.[3]

On 6 December 1923, Wilshire again reported on Lucas’s situation.  He reported that he could not see any prospect ‘in the immediate future’ of Lucas being able to meet his financial obligations and suggested payment of monies due be postponed until 31 March 1924.[4] He believed that this would permit Lucas to protect his fruit crop and to gather and dispose of it.[5]

Lucas wished to stay in possession of the holding until after 31 March 1924 but desired to dispose privately of his stock and plant.[6] This was approved on 19 December 1923.[7] Unfortunately Lucas’s fruit crop was light and the price obtained was not sufficient to meet his debts. [8] On 11 April 1924, Lucas’s property was listed in the NSW Government Gazette as forfeited because of non payment of instalments.[9]

Footnotes

[1] SRNSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/6985 No. 4093], Application for Loan 14 April 1920.

[2] Ibid, Application for Advance, 20 April 1920.

[3] Ibid, CP Inspector Austin P. Wilshire Report 27 February 1921.

[4] Ibid, CP Inspector Austin P. Wilshire to the District Surveyor 6 December 1923.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid, Acting District Surveyor Goulburn Report 11 December 1923.

[7] Ibid, RSS Branch Report 19 December 1923.

[8] Ibid,  RSS Branch 5 March 1924.

[9] NSW Government Gazette 11 April 1924, p-.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/6985 No. 4093] Charles Alfred Lucas.

National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (Charles Alfred Lucas) online:  http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8206850&I=1&SE=1.