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A poppy engraved street sign of Tucker Avenue.
Screen grab from Google Maps
In honour of our soldiers: Lewis Ord Riddell Tucker
Published 10:52 PST, Fri February 28, 2025
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In a series about Richmond’s poppy street signs, in memory of our fallen soldiers, we share the story of Tucker Avenue.
Lewis Ord Riddell Tucker was born on July 19, 1906 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, along his life’s journey he would find himself living in the Steveston area, working as an oil salesman with the marine Imperial Oil Agency. Prior to working as an oil salesman, Tucker was also a professional soldier, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada at the age of 21 on Jan. 12, 1928. His hardworking and dedication would see him rise to the rank of Sergeant.
On September 8, 1939, Tucker would re-enlist into the army, immediately gaining the rank of provisional Company Sergeant Major. His journey would see him reach Aldershot, England in January 1940. A month before his two year anniversary in England, Tucker was admitted to the 15th General Hospital in Bramshott for a week in December 1941. After recovering, Tucker would return to his duties and be given the rank of Lieutenant on March 5, 1942. A month later, he would be married to Lieutenant Eleanor Margaret James who was a nursing sister at the hospital he had spent time in.
Tucker would take on the role of instructor at the officer training course on Oct. 21, 1942. Just three days later, tragedy would strike. During a live mortar training session that saw Lieutenant Tucker in charge of 15 men, each soldier was tasked with loading and firing a high explosive bomb. After approximately 10 rounds had been fired, an unusually loud explosion would go off, wounding the Lieutenant.
It was discovered that the previous mortar had failed to go off and had to be removed, but the reason for the explosion remains unclear till this day.
Injured from the explosion, the lieutenant was taken to the 15th General Hospital, succumbing to his injuries one day later. He would be buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey England.
He was survived by his wife, Eleanor Margaret James, and his mother, Gertrude Mary Jarvis from Steveston.
On Feb. 4, 1946, the Richmond city council, made the decision to adopt a road name after Lieutenant Lewis Ord Tucker. Tucker avenue can be found in West Richmond near the intersection of No 1 Road and Granville Avenue.
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