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Rank : RSM and Bandmaster

Army Number : 211 and 240003

Unit : 1st (Vol) Bn, 5th Bn, 1/5th Bn

Biography :

Harry Lovett joined Loughborough 'C' Company of 1st (Volunteer) Bn The Leicestershire Regiment, aged 18 in 1890. He became a trombonist and a very useful member of the Band over many years up until his death 35 years later. He served in South Africa with the Volunteer Company during the Boer War. Served with the 1/5th Bn in World War One, entering France on 28.2.1915. Badly wounded in October 1915 in the battle for the Hohenzollern Redoubt. As Acting RSM he was awarded a Mention in Despatches (L.G. 18.12.1917, p.13232). Awarded the D.C.M. (L.G. 3.3.1919, p.3243: "For the past year he has been RSM. He has throughout shown great keenness, courage and initiative, particularly in organising the supply of ammunition in difficult circumstances and under fire. His services in this respect were worthy of special praise during the recent advance at Richebourg. Prior to his appointment as RSM, he served for as CSM, being seriously wounded in 1915 at the Hohnenzollern Redoubt, an action in which he took command of his company with great gallantry when all the officers became casualties."). He was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal on 1.5.1919. Later awarded the M.C. (L.G. 4.10.1919, p.12312: "For conspicuous gallantry and good work during the operations on 11th October, 1918, at the Bois de Riquerval. He rendered very valuable service to his commanding officer throughout some fourteen hours' continuous fighting. On more than one occasion he reorganised men of different units, and held on to a position gained under heavy fire. Throughout the operation he rendered good service."). After the War, his war wound "did not deter him from again offering his services on the reconstruction of the Territorial Force [into the Territorial Army], and he rendered yeoman service with the Band (of which he was Bandmaster) and by his personality in recruiting for the 5th Battalion." He died in 1925, aged 53.

Date of Birth : 1872

Date of Death : 29.3.1925

Civil Occupation : Public house landlord

Period of Service : 1890-1925

Conflicts : Boer War, WW1

Places Served : South Africa, France and Flanders