Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Lovett, a sawyer’s labourer, born 1872 in Leicester and his wife Maria Lovett, born 1873 in Leicester. Horace Sidney was born in the 1st quarter of 1896 in Leicester, his siblings were, Frances, born 1889, John, born 1892, Ada, born 1894 and Elsie May, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 209, Abbey Lane, Leicester. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a press room worker and was residing in the family home at 39, Rodney Street, Leicester, together with his father, a sawyer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, John, a shoe trade clicker, Elsie, a schoolgirl, Alfred, born 1902, Esther, born 1903, Maria, born 1906, Cyril, born 1908 and Elizabeth Ellen, born 1910, the latter five siblings were all born in Leicester.
The War Diary for today records that the Battalion were near Holnon. Quiet night. Bombardment opened at 5.00am and attack commenced. News was a long time in coming through as to the progress of the attack. Finally it was established that French troops had captured Round Hill and Manchester Hill on the right, that 16th Infantry Brigade had reached Argonne Trench, North Alley and Breton Alley, but that 18th Infantry Brigade had met with exceptionally strong opposition and though a footing had been obtained by the 11th Essex Regiment in the Quadrilateral and by the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment in Douai Trench, very little real progress had been made. 16th Infantry Brigade commenced bombing towards the Quadrilateral and 1st West Yorkshire Regiment towards the flanks of their objective and a certain amount of further progress was made but it was very slow work. At 10.30am A and D Company’s ordered forward to Sunken Road in S.2.c. in close support to 2nd Durham Light Infantry who had suffered heavily. It was therefore decided that a further attack should be commenced to link up between the French and the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment and 1st Leicestershire Regiment was deputed to carry out this attack, objective of which was to be Douai Trench between S.9.a. 50.95 and S.9.c. 00.95. Verbal instructions to this effect were given by Brigadier General Commanding 18th Infantry Brigade, their Operational Order number 307 being received later at 7.30pm. It was decided to entrust the attack to B and C Company’s. A conference at HQ’s 2nd Durham Light Infantry was arranged with Officers Commanding B and C Company’s for 6.15pm. In midst of conference, message was received to the effect that enemy had been seen advancing on Holnon village. C Company were ordered to move at once to trenches in S.7.b. and d. and remainder of the Battalion “Stood to” Officer Commanding B Company left the conference at 7.00pm. Officer Commanding C Company moved his company forward and returned to conference, finally conference broke up at 8.00pm all arrangements being made as follows:- C Company on right to form up just east of Holnon along line of ridge from S.8.b. 40.15 to S.9.a 00.95. B Company on left from S.9.a. 50.90 to S.9.a. 30.50 about 300 yards west of Douai Trench. Zero hour 10.30pm, when barrage would open on trench attacking troops to move up under barrage close to objective. Barrage to remain on Douai Trench until 10.50pm when it would lift 250 yards for 10 minutes, 5 minutes pause then a final 5 minutes barrage in the same place. Company Commanders were Captain P. R. Milner M.C. B Company, Captain W. Wilson D.C.M. C Company. Attack duly launched and entirely successful, thanks largely to the fact that attacking troops followed so closely to the barrage, that as it lifted from the trench and they reached the parapet the enemy had no time to recover and get his Machine Guns up. Almost 25 were killed in or about the trench, the remainder fled and 8 prisoners, 14 Machine Guns and 1 Dart Machine and 2 Lewis Guns were captured, our total casualties in attack, 1 officer (Captain Milner) wounded, 47 other ranks, killed wounded or missing. A company of 11th Leicestershire Regiment (Pioneers) was sent forward from Battalion HQ’s as soon as the success of the attack was assured and assisted in securing the position taken. Touch was quickly established with the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment on the left, but an obstinate pocket of the enemy on the right held their position for two or three hours. Finally the trench was cleared by bombing and touch obtained with the French on the right. A and B Company’s were ordered up to Douai Trench to reinforce so that the trench was held by the whole Battalion, less HQ’s personnel. Casualties, other ranks B Company 2 killed, 15 wounded. C Company 12 killed, 16 wounded. D Company 5 wounded 1 missing. Officers, Captain P. R. Milner M.C., 2nd Lieutenant W. Clancey wounded.