CPL Charles William Harold Lucre 65417
OAM
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| Squadron/s | 452 SQN |
| Rank On Discharge/Death | Corporal (CPL) |
| Date of Birth | 16 Mar 1924 |
| Date of Enlistment | 11 May 1942 |
| Contributing Author/s | Peter Radtke, Paul Carter and Steve McGregor Reviewed July 2013 The Spitfire Association |
Charles was born in Campsie, Sydney on 16 March 1924. He was forced to leave school at an early age during the depression years and carried out various odd jobs before joining the R.A.A.F. in Sydney on 11th of May 1942. After initial training he was posted to 452 Squadron, and then billeted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, before travelling to Darwin in early 1943 via Adelaide by road and rail.
Charles was attached to the 452 Squadron Intelligence Unit at Strauss Airfield and later went with the Squadron to Morotai and then Tarakan where he experienced severe fighting with the Japanese who were trying to destroy the oil storage tanks and disable the airfield.
After being demobilised from the R.A.A.F. with the rank of Corporal, on the 30th of May 1946 Charles worked for the Commonwealth Department of Health in Sydney where he won a promotion in his job and then moved to Canberra with his wife Jean. He later worked for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in Canberra.
Charles has a close relationship with the Canberra Hospital where he was appointed a Pastoral Carer and in January 2002 was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for his work in that field.
One of those quiet ones is Charles. Living in Canberra and quite a way away from his friends in Sydney, Charles struggles along to the reunions and meetings and make himself known in his own quiet way. I saw him there with a smile on his face just watching and adding now and then with a word. It is a shame really. These fellows were once so strong and young and vibrant and alive with joy de vie and we have only been able to know them when they were old men. Not really how they were during the war. However, I am sure that deep in side all these old Vets lurks a young man thrilled to be alive and in the thick of it.
Peter Radtke, Paul Carter and Steve McGregor
Reviewed July 2013
The Spitfire Association
