Service Number: 19922
Rank: Driver
Roll Title: 8 Field Artillery Brigade
Date of Embarkation: 20th May 1916
Place of Embarkation: Melbourne
Ship Embarked on: HMAT Medic A7
Age: 21 years
Born: 25th June 1890, Berwick, Victoria.
Father: James Lecky, Officer, Victoria.
Mother: Maggie (Duff)
Religion: Presbyterian
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Officer, Victoria.
Joined AIF: 25th February 1915
Height: 5 feet, 5 1/2 inches
Complexion: Fair, Eyes-Blue, Hair-Brown
Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News – 10th August 1917
Officer.
Mr Lecky has received word from both his sons-Drivers JA Lecky and Gunner Mervyn Lecky that they are well. When the war broke out Mr Lecky’s two sons were among the first to enlist.
While serving in France, James sustained a gunshot wound to the chest that would later claim his life on the 14th November 1918.
Dandenong Advertiser and Cranbourne, Berwick and Oakleigh Advocate- 28th November 1918
On Active Service.
Lecky- Officially reported died of gunshot wound on 14th November 1918, at the 10th General Hospital, France. James Alexander, beloved son of James and Maggie Lecky, Cardinia Park, Officer, after 2 1/2 years active service, age 28 years.
The Supreme Sacrifice.
It is with feelings of the deepest sympathy and regret that we have to chronicle the death of driver James Alexander Lecky, eldest son of Mr and Mrs James Lecky “Cardinia Park” Officer. A few days ago a cable came through to the effect that the young soldier had been badly wounded in the chest by gunshot, and was seriously ill. On Monday official information was received that Driver Lecky had succumbed to his injuries. Mr and Mrs Lecky had two sons- James and Mervyn- and both brave lads have paid the supreme sacrifice in fighting for their King and country, and homeland. It is some little consolation to the bereaved parents to know that the young soldiers followed the precept- “England expects that every man this day will do his duty;” and that they. “Fighting forward fell”.
A thousand glorious actions, that might claim
Triumphant laurels and immortal fame,
Confused in crowds of glorious actions lie,
And troops of heroes undistinguished die.
He posthumously received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal on 8th October 1924. James Lecky is interred at the St Sever Cemetery Extension in Haute-Normandie, France.
