Victor Arthur Alfred Tucker

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Victor Arthur Alfred Tucker_AWM PO6819.002

RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.

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Victor (Babe) Arthur Alfred Tucker was born on 27th March 1898 at Mannanarie, South Australia to William Henry Tucker and Emma (nee’ Robinson) Tucker. William, who was a wheelwright, had opened a Blacksmith’s shop in the small mid-north town in 1875, remaining there until removing to Crystal Brook in 1913.

Victor was educated at Crystal Brook Primary School and Gladstone High School. He was one of the most deservedly popular boys of the town and was of a bright and lovable disposition.

At the time of his enlistment, Victor was employed as a clerk on the local staff of the Adelaide Milling Company. He was secretary of the tennis club, a prominent member of the lacrosse club, and a member of the Methodist church choir. 

Sapper Victor Arthur Alfred Tucker, Service Number 6839, embarked HMAT Afric from Adelaide, South Australia on 7th November 1916, with the 10th Infantry Battalion, 22nd Reinforcements.

Transferred to the 1st Division Signal Company Engineers in September 1917, he went through the signalling schools at Bedford and Lark Hill in England before proceeding overseas to France on 14th December 1917.

After nine months at the front, Victor was gassed at Herleville Wood on 25th August 1918. He was transferred to 41st Casualty Clearing Station and thence to Ambulance Train to the 5th General Hospital at Rouen, France. Sapper Tucker died of gas shell poisoning on 8th September 1918, aged 22. Victor was buried at St, Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

‘His young life had scarce begun, But his duty he had nobly done.’

Victors brother, Sergeant Cyril Glanville Tucker, was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the filed while serving with the 4th Australian Field Ambulance. An Auctioneer’s Clerk before the war, Cyril returned to Australia on 3rd July 1919 and passed away in Adelaide, South Australia in his 92nd year.

Sources:

National Archives of Australia

Trove Australia

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