Hundreds of people packed the pews and the aisles at St Mary's Church last Thursday, November 22nd to pay tribute to Gordon Lucas, a family man, a motorcycle enthusiast, a good friend and a true man of Ross. Mourners included the MP Jesse Norman, the Mayor of Ross, Councillor David Ravenscroft and the Chairman of Herefordshire Council, Olwyn Barnett.

Gordon's love of motorcycles and of course a lifetime spent working with them and the people who ride them was reflected in the number of bikers who congregated outside the family business before driving through the town on their way to St Mary's Church for the Thanksgiving Service.

There was a distinct Welsh flavour to the service which reflected his roots, the son of a miner and a nurse who was born in Wales in 1930. He had an unsettled childhood and when he was ten years old he was sent to the work house. From there he attended a school which he loved and always appreciated his education. But the day after he turned 15, he cycled to Hereford to meet his mother, the next day he rested and then, on the Monday he went out to find a job.

His first job was with a motorycycle company, Kears Motorcycles and in 1948 National Service called and he enlisted as a small arms armourer and motor cycle mechanic with the REME. He didn't take to the disciplined training days, but once this was over he started to enjoy himself . He loved all sport and was even a welterweight boxer.

Following his army experiences he became a life long member of the British Legion and was a great supporter of the Ross Branch. Members attended the service with their standards proudly raised in his honour.

Gordon left the army in 1950 and met the love of his life - Margaret (or Cugs as he affectionately called her) - as they both worked in Hereford.

Things didn't start off too smoothly as Margaret loved dancing and Gordon wasn't too keen. One night in Hereford they had words and Margaret put on her coat and left to walk home on her own. She walked all the way to the other side of Hereford - ignoring Gordon who was following her on his motorbike. He made sure she was safely indoors before turning around and making his way back to the other side of the city.

After that things improved considerably because they married on June 17th, 1954 in Breinton Church.

For the rest of this story please see this week's Ross Gazette.

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