One hundred and fifty years to the day after he had been awarded the then brand new, and still the premier, medal for heroism, Charles Davis Lucas was honored in his birthplace by his own people.

The event, sponsored by the Armagh and District Council, was co - hosted by the Ulster History Circle and the Poyntzpass Local History Society.

There were a large number of guests including Mr Charles Brady, President of the Armagh and District Royal British Legion; Amanda Marino of the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum; Murray Cameron representing the RUC George Cross Foundation; Cllr Robert Turner and other local representatives, as well as the Mayor, Charles Rollston; Richard Doherty, Military Historian and co-author of a book on Irish VC winners and Cmdr. David Crone RN. For the Ulster History Circle were Doreen Corcoran, Annesley Malley and Pat Devlin and from the Poyntzpass Local History Society were Chairman Frank Watters, John Campbell, David Baker, Joanne Hamill and Griff Wylie.

Mayor Rollston pointed out that this was the first Blue Plaque in the District and commented that it was fitting that it honored another first, the first VC, and to an Armagh man at that. Richard Doherty gave a short account of the naval action in the Baltic, putting it into the context of the time and describing in graphic detail the effects on the ship and its company had the shell exploded on the deck instead of just above the water after being tossed overboard by the young Lucas. Cmdr. Crone added additional colour to this by reference to the construction of the vessel and the red-hot condition of the shell which must have inflicted severe burns to Lucas's hands.

After the unveiling Doreen Corcoran presented the Megaw family, present owners of the house, with a framed copy of the Ulster History Circle's citation on Lucas.

Afterwards, everyone adjourned to the Commuity Centre in Poyntpass to continue the crack over a fine buffet laid on by the Mayor.

Below are some photos of the event.