The Victoria Cross (VC) of Guardsman Michael Lucas-Carter’s great great grandfather was the inspiration for his military career.
Image used with permission of the family: Lance-Serjeant Oliver Brooks, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, was awarded the VC for his conspicuous valour near Loos, on the 8th October 1915.
Guardsman Michael Lucas-Carter, 3 Platoon, 7 Company, Coldstream Guards.
Image used with permission of the family: Oliver survived the war, despite being seriously wounded at the Somme.
The following medals are displayed from left to right: Victoria Cross, 1914 Star, British War Medal (1914-20), The Allied Victory Medal (1914-1919) and King George VI Coronation Medal.
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust: Artwork of King George V decorating Lance Serjeant Oliver Brooks.
“My ancestor’s prestigious military decoration, his actions and bravery during the First World War is the reason I joined the British Army,” said Michael, 22, who serves with the same infantry regiment – the Coldstream Guards.
I may have followed in his footsteps, but they are big boots to fill!
“I may have followed in his footsteps, but they are big boots to fill!”
Lance Serjeant Oliver Brooks, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, was awarded the VC for his conspicuous valour near Loos, on the 8 October 1915. On ‘his own initiative’, he led a party of bombers, in a ‘determined manner’, to successfully regain 200 yards of trenches taken by the Germans. His citation read:
“The signal bravery displayed by this Non-Commissioned Officer, in the midst of a hail of bombs from the Germans, was of the very first order, and the complete success attained in a very dangerous undertaking was entirely due to his absolute fearlessness, presence of mind and promptitude.”
Earlier this year, Guardsman Lucas-Carter was one of 16 soldiers from Number 7 Company who took part in the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, parading at the Élysée Palace and making history as the first foreign state to guard the Presidential Residence in Paris. He said of his great great grandfather’s distinguished service:
To be able to live in the conditions he did and still manage to do his job and convince others to follow him into battle, that’s the sign of a true leader
“I can’t imagine the horror of First World War warfare or going over the top with bayonets fixed.
“To be able to live in the conditions he did and still manage to do his job and convince others to follow him into battle, that’s the sign of a true leader.
“I wish I’d met him; I’d have asked him, what it was that kept him going?”
The Battle of Loos took place in France on the Western Front between 25 September and 13 October 1915. It was the largest British operation at the time, the first major attack by Lord Kitchener’s volunteer soldiers' army and the Army’s first use of chlorine gas. British losses were nearly 50,000.
Oliver Brooks left a family legacy, and his service history is well documented.
“Growing up, I’ve always known about his VC,” explains Michael, who went to high school in Klein, Texas.
"There is an illustration of a bed-ridden King George V pinning the medal to Oliver’s chest. His Majesty is on board a hospital train in Aire Station, Pas de Calais after suffering a fractured pelvis and other injuries. The King had been injured when his horse landed on him whilst reviewing troops but wanted to decorate him in person before returning to England. It is unprecedented!”
The Brooks VC was donated to the Guards Museum. It is the highest British honour for gallantry in the face of the enemy and was founded by Royal Warrant in 1856 to award those who fought during the Crimean War. Designed by Queen Victoria it is still handmade by jewellers Hancocks and Company of London.
Holding the VC for the first time, Guardsman Lucas-Carter, who enlisted in 2022 and has yet to deploy on military operations, said:
“We nearly lost the medal; my grandfather took it to his primary school and traded it for a bag of marbles!”
Oliver survived the war, despite being seriously wounded at the Somme. He was invited with other VC recipients to the burial of the Unknown Soldier and even featured in an advert for Fry’s ‘pure breakfast’ cocoa. The Great War veteran worked as a commissionaire at the Dorchester Hotel in London and died in October 1940, aged 51, at Windsor.
“He’s somebody to look up to and be proud of,” said Michael, reflecting on his ancestor’s 12-year military career, as a post-war regular and a reservist mobilised on the outbreak of the First World War.
“His bravery and actions would have been unlike anything else; he is an idol to me and my family.”
The Guardsman who took part in his first Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, parading for the Sovereign’s official birthday at Horse Guards, would have marched and carried out the same drills as his forebear over a century ago.
“I think he’d be proud I’m serving, and probably appreciate, above all, that one of his descendants decided to join his regiment. Wearing the same cap badge means a lot to me.”
Wearing the same cap badge means a lot to me. He’s somebody to look up to and be proud of, he is an idol to me and my family
