Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Lovett, a cement trade worker, born 1853 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Lovett (nee Holmes, married in the 2nd quarter of 1883 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. George William was a schoolboy and was born in the 4th quarter of 1885 in Barrow upon Soar, his siblings were, Maria, a schoolgirl, born 1884, Harry, born 1889, Charles, born 1889 and Norah, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Barrow upon Soar, in April 1891 the family home was at Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar. George was baptised on the 6th December 1885 at Barrow upon Soar. In March 1901 George was employed as a hosiery trade warehouseman and was residing in the family home at The Nook, Barrow upon Soar, together with his father, a cement trade worker, his mother and siblings, Maria, a hosiery trade seamer, Harry, Charles and Frank, born 1896 in Barrow upon Soar. In the 3rd quarter of 1906 George married Letitia Humphrey in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. In the 4th quarter of 1908 George’s wife Letitia, died, aged 24. In April 1911 George was unemployed and a widower, and was residing in the family home at Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar, together with his father, a cement trade worker, his mother and siblings, Harry, a cement trade worker, Charles a hosiery trade worker and Frank, a hosiery trade worker, also residing with the family was George’s son, Clarence Victor, born on the 26th September 1908 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire.
George attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 28 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was a widower. He gave his father Mr. G. Lovett, Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2453 on the 31/8/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment – Territorial Force on the 31/8/14. Embodied service commenced on the 31/8/14. Killed in action on the 11/5/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/8/14 – 1/3/15, 183 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 11/5/15, 71 days. Total service 254 days. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. George’s parents were awarded a weekly pension of five shillings for his son, to commence on the 22nd November 1915. The following information was provided by George’s father George Lovett on the 2nd May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by T. Stone, Vicar, The Vicarage, Barrow upon Soar on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Children of soldier, Clarence Victor Lovett, born 26th September 1908. Father of soldier, George Lovett, of Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. Mother of soldier, Elizabeth Lovett of Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. Full blood brothers of soldier, Harry Lovett, age 31 and Charles Lovett, age 31, both of Nook Lane, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, Frank Lovett, age 23, serving with the R.G.A., Wandsworth. Full blood sister of soldier, Marie Pearson, 20, George Street, Loughborough.
The War Diary records: - 10 May-15 - Very busy working on VIGO STREET all day (50 men employed) until finished except flooring (ROYAL ENGINEER’S work). At 3.40pm a few shells near Battn HQ’s, retired to dug outs, nothing doing. Change taking place in line. 1st/4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT moving into NOTTS & DERBY REGT sector, all Battn’s in Bde up near trenches. At 11.30pm 5 or 6 Germans (5th BAVARIAN INFANTRY) bombed E1. left, causing garrison, somewhat weakened by listening posts, who saw nothing, to quit, all in authority having been killed or wounded. Full report by C.O. attached. Marked A. Casualties 1 officer killed, 1 other rank killed and 8 wounded in E1.L. 1 other rank killed and 1 wounded in E1.R. Killed Capt H. HAYLOCK 2nd in command of C Coy in E1.L. during the bombing affair between 11.30 and 11.45pm, No 113 Sgt J. JACQUES C Coy in E1.L. during the bombing affair between 11.30 and 11.45pm, No 2545 Sgt W. LOVETT C Coy in E1.R., No 3018 Pte S. GREASLEY C Coy. Missing No. 2444 Pte A. ILIFFE C Coy when last seen was resting from work in E1.L. just before the bombing affair between 11.30 and 11.45pm.
Wounded 2nd Lt G. E. F. RUSSELL, accidentally by bayonet, corner of E6 and E3., No. 2422 Pte L. O’DOWD C Coy, No.2131 Pte H. CHARITY C Coy, subsequently died of his wounds, No. 2809 Pte G. STORER C Coy, No. 3201 Pte W. HUFTON C Coy, No. 412 Pte F. GILL C Coy, No. 1915 Pte H. E. WILLIS C Coy, No 2429 Cpl W. READING C Coy, No.2431 L/Cpl A. GOADBY C Coy, No. 1327 Pte A. A. COPE C Coy, No. 1036 Pte J. FRANKLIN C Coy, No. 1502 Pte C. JACOBS C Coy, subsequently died of wounds on the 11th May 1915, No. 1300 Pte W. HAWKESWORTH C Coy, subsequently died of his wounds on the 12th May 1915.
The War Diary records: - 11 May-15 - C.O. investigated E1.L. affair immediately on return. Effects of dead German in E1.L. handed in to Bde, identity disc 645. V. J. R. (5th INFANTRY REGT) 1 K (-?- Company) TRANSO (Transport), Mauser rifle and pistol, good deal of ammunition, watch 1 hour fast but keeping good time. German time is one hour ahead of us. Capt HAYLOCK’S funeral at ONE TREE FARM.
On Friday May 21st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BARROW ON SOAR PRIVATE KILLED. – Official intimation was received at midday on Monday by his parents that Private G. W. Lovett, of the 4th Leicester’s, was killed in France, on Tuesday last. Private Lovett, aged 30, was a native of Barrow on Soar. He had been employed as barman at the Craven Arms, Leicester. A widower, he leaves a son about six years of age. The flag on the Conservative Club, of which the deceased was a member, was lowered to half mast, as a token of respect. And in the same issue the following article was published under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. – The friends of Pte. G. W. Lovett, B Company, 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, will regret to learn that he was killed in action in Belgium on the 11th inst. He was buried by the side of Captain Haylock. Pte. Lovett was 30 years of age, and leaves a motherless child. Before going to the front he lived with his father, Mr. Geo. Lovett, off Nook Lane, Barrow on Soar. He joined the colours on the outbreak of the war.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – The friends of Private G. W. Lovett, B Company, 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, will regret to learn that he was killed in action in Belgium on the 11th inst. He was buried by the side of Captain Haylock. Private Lovett was 30 years of age, and leaves a motherless child. Before going to the front he lived with his father, Mr. Geo. Lovett, off Nook Lane, Barrow on Soar. He joined the colours at the outbreak of the war.
On Friday June 11th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – LOCAL TERRITORIAL’S KILLED AND WOUNDED. –
The following casualties in the 4th Battalion (T.F.) Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 20th May:-
KILLED.
Greasley, 3018, Private S., Jacques, 113, Sergeant J., Lovett, 2453, Private G. W., Markham, 1470, Private J., Walker, 2039, Private E.
WOUNDED.
Bolus, 2318, Sergeant G., Cope, 1327, Private A. A., Hufton, 3281, Private W., Willis, 1915, Private H.
On Friday June 18th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – A DEADLY SHELL. – In a letter to Mr. Tom Corbett, of Barrow on Soar, Private J. Roberts, of the Transport, 5th Leicester’s, says:- “I daresay you have heard by now of the regrettable incident which took place at our headquarters at ---. Our O.C. and the O.C. of the 4th Lincoln’s were discussing plans, when a shell came and killed the O.C. of the Lincoln’s and wounded ours. It also killed a servant and a guide of our regiment. We buried the Lincoln’s colonel today in the churchyard here, and our colonel is in England by now. I have enquired about the grave of G. Lovett, and am pleased to say he was buried decently, and a cross was erected by the 4th Leicester’s.”