Stephen Luck (-1918)
Leadgate man served with 8th DLI arrested as deserter
Stephen Luck was born in Howden-le-Wear, his father was named John Luck, and he had a younger brother named William. He enlisted sometime after 1916, at Barnard Castle, joining the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI).
In January 1917 Stephen deserted the army, seeking out his home in Leadgate where his father kept him hidden until March. The police searched the house and found Stephen hiding there with his brother William, who had also deserted. He was sent back to the army and resumed service, it is not known as to what punishment was levied against his father.
Upon returning to the army he participated in the Hundred Days Offensive, which proved to be the deathblow to the Germans, and also to Stephen himself. He was killed on the 11 October 1918. For his service he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Sources:
Durham Advertiser
Civil Parish: Iveston
Death date: 11-Oct-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: St. Ives Road, Leadgate (Durham Advertiser)
Howden-le-Wear (Birthplace)
Family: Father: John Luck
Brother: William Luck
Military service:
1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number: 24582
Private
Enlisted: Barnard Castle
Deserted: 11-20 January 1917
Captured: 27 April 1917
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Glageon Communal Cemetery Extension, France (burial place, CWGC)
DLI Memorial Chapel, Durham Cathedral, Durham City, Book of Remembrance
Gender: Male
Contributed by Daniel Hyatt
