The experiences he would gather in the Second World War would scar him, shape his character, and confirm a philosophy for life. Those experiences ranged from the laughs with good friends in England's pubs... to the horror of friends killed beside him while at war in Europe.

There was a gun in his back, then the marching in bloody feet to a POW camp in Africa and then the loss of almost forty pounds in the next three weeks. As an artillery officer, Major Lucy's conduct and performance were an inspiration, and earned him the admiration and respect of his men. Major Lucy was awarded the Military Cross in France in July 1944.