Lucas Freight / JW Lucas & Co. 1928 - 2004

In 1928, John Walter Lucas, a son of the renowned Capt. John Lucas, purchased a small import / export business operating from the Albert Pier with a regular trade to / from St. Malo. The type of general cargo that was carried included such diverse commodities as fresh eggs and gloves.

John A. de Garis joined the new company as a young man and when John W. Lucas died in 1929 after a period of illness he took over the "reins" and became the active partner with JW's son Harold, a civil servant.

At about this time the Agency was acquired for ships belonging to William Muller & Co. of Rotterdam which brought regular consignments of glass and flower bulbs from Antwerp for the horticultural industry. This traffic was later transported to Rotterdam and a regular general cargo service was established between Rotterdam, Guernsey, Jersey and Bordeaux in France on a fortnightly basis.

The Second World War intervened and afterwards the service recommenced carrying thousands of tonnes of wines, foodstuffs, horticultural equipment and various other general cargo.

The company also acted as Ships Agents for bulk cargoes of grain, timber, peat, cement and also exported tar, a by-product of the Gas Company.

An insurance department covered cargoes and expanded into vehicles, boats and household policies.

In 1955, after the death of Harold Lucas, John A. de Garis acquired JW Lucas & Co. and continued to trade with the name that was so well known internationally.

Then in 1959 he was joined by his son John N. de Garis and the business continued to fulfill its important roles.

The business progressed and in1978 the company moved to their present much larger warehouse and offices on the St. Julian's Emplacement at the White Rock, St. Peter Port.

During the 1970's and 80's ownership of the Dutch shipping line changed several times and was eventually acquired by Allied Coasters Ltd. of Guernsey who took over the Rotterdam agency.

JW Lucas & Co's freight forwarding connections continued to grow and expand to include transshipment through the major UK ports of Felixstowe, Tilbury, Thamesport and Southampton as well as Rotterdam and St. Malo.

John de Garis senior was still active in the business at the age of 95 until shortly before his death in 2001 after 73 years of service he was then succeeded by John N. de Garis.

In to the 21st Century JW Lucas & Co. continues to provide many services within the shipping industry as Ships Agents, Customs Clearance Agents, Warehousing and Distributors, at all times using the experience of many years to the advantage of their clientele.

A couple of years down the line, it was evident with the ever increasing work load that an additional member of staff was required.  In June 2006, Sally Elliott joined the ranks.  Sally has worked within the shipping world before and has brought with her, new experience and knowledge adding to that of Adam & Rob and generally Lucas Freight Ltd.

At the end of 2006, Art Osborne, our Storeman / Driver, retired leaving his duties to Adam & Rob which enables them to keep 'hands on' with all aspects of the business.

From January 2004 through to August 2007 Denise continued to provide her services on a part-time basis, looking after Lucas Freight's accounts; however when her (and Adam's) second child was born on the 18th October 2007, has remained a Mummy at home.

In 2008 we bought a new van, a LWB High Top Fiat Ducato which was utilised  with a full three pallets collecting from a client daily. Also there was a new forklift to the company, an electric,  zero mast height Lansing 2.5t - this is like having a Rolls Royce compared to the 'old smoker'  we did have (which is still being used today within the horticultural industry locally)...

Lucas Freight / JW Lucas & Co. 2004 - date

In the Summer of 2010 we had new offices built within our warehouse (with a new phone system and computers) which replaced those constructed way back in the 1970's.  It's clean & warm when it needs to be (very rare we need to switch the heating on as its so well insulated) and cool when it needs to be (with the aid of air-con). Lovely! Thanks Mr. Landlord!

In 2010 a photographic festival was started by Jean-Christophe Godet & Chris Humber.... The Guernsey Photography Festival - for 2010, 2011 & 2012 Lucas Freight sponsored some of the International & Local Logistics.  As Adam is a keen amateur, he exhibited his own exhibition within the 2011 festival showing 20 images of St. Peter Port Harbour entitled Harbour Life

This being our 85th year of trading we continue to look forward to providing many more years of service, which we are sure to do with the support of our satisfied Clients, Customers and Friends.

The end of 2019 / beginning of 2020 then brought COVID - what an experience that was - The island locked down in March 2020 through until June.