Bill Lucas 80 Year Membership Celebration
W.E. “BILL” LUCAS DFC - 80 YEARS A BELGRAVIAN
On Sunday 7th February, 2016 over 60 Belgravians, old friends and former competitors of Bill’s were invited to attend a Celebration of his 80 years as a Belgrave Harriers member.
It was a wonderful afternoon, older athletes reminiscing about the good old days of athletics and the events they were in and the times they run. What amazing memories they all have.
Club President John Powell spoke of Bill history in the sport and presented an engraved glass vase. Eric Hall then presented a painting of Bill running at Wimbledon Dog Track in 1951 by artist and coach Maureen Jones.
Tea was served and more chat and memories were exchanged. Many photos were taken including 99 years of age Bill and his team all looking rather sprightly for their years.
Well done Bill on your devotion to athletics and look forward to celebration your 100 years.
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Bill Lucas - The Man
Bill was the leading GB finisher in the 5000m at the 1948 London Olympics. Born in 1917 he started running at grammar school in Tooting Bec, In February 1936 Belgrave Secretary Ernie Duffett signed up a young insurance agent, W.E. Lucas, with a loping stride who showed promise, which he confirmed a few weeks later by placing 32nd at the South of the Thames Junior. Bill is still remembered as Belgrave’s most reliable road relay ‘finisher’.
The following year, Bill was hauled off the subs bench to take part in the thrilling London to Brighton National 12 Stage of 1937 which the Bels only lost in the final yards; but it was to be the start of a love affair with the event that would see him win or place in a Belgrave team on 10 occasions between 1937-1954.
Bill signed up for the RAF in 1939. At the end of the war he had notched up 81 missions unharmed and was awarded the DFC. In 1946 Bill returned to his running and after only one years training the 1948 Olympics became his aim. His main athletic claim to fame was on the track where he was crowned Surrey champion at 1, 3 and 6 miles and represented Britain numerous times, including a battle with Emil Zatopek at the Wembley London Olympics in 1948.
Although less enamoured with cross-country, it should be noted that Bill anchored home the last Belgrave team that won the Southern Cross Country in 1952.After retirement from competition, Bill threw himself into giving back to the sport, joining numerous committees, including our own for over 60 years. He served as Belgrave’s Road and Country sec/team manager from 1954-1969 and was club president twice, including our Centenary; He became known as “the golden voice of British Athletics” for his many years as stadium announcer at the White City. He states his favourite moment as calling Derek Ibbotsen’s epic world record of 3:57.2 in 1957 which slashed nearly a second off John Landy’s mark.
Bill Lucas - The Painting
Artist Maureen Jones MSc
The painting was reproduced from a black and white photograph taken at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium in Plough Lane. It shows the finish of the one mile race at a match laid on by Belgrave Harriers between The North and South of the Thames on 7th July, 1951. It was jointly won by Bill Lucas and Ian Herbert very easily in 4.28.4 (coasting),The Stadium was a supporter of Wimbledon Athletic Club and provided the trophies.The track at Wimbledon Park was opened on the 11th June 1952. There was a three-quarter mile race in which Belgrave's Don Maclean and London marathon co-founder Chris Brasher took part and a two mile race in which the other London Marathon cos-founder John Disley and Gordon Pirie were competitors. Bill ran at this meeting.