Name
Norman Beresford Lovett
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/04/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
448
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
54th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
M C and Bar
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUBIGNY BRITISH CEMETERY
A. 17.
France
Headstone Inscription
HE DIED THAT WE MAY LIVE SLEEP ON DEAR BOY TILL WE MEET AGAIN
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
Norman Beresford Lovett was born in October 1891, the son of Frederick and Emma Lovett, at Wongarbon, New South Wales He was educated at Bearbong School, Gilgandra District, New South Wales where he later became a teacher.
He was said to be a great amateur sportsman and athlete and excelled in all field sports such as cricket, football, tennis and shooting. He took pride in amateur gardening, his school collections in cereals, vegetables and flowers being the best of their kind in his district.
His parents address is given as Public School, Maryvale, New South Wales.
Wartime Service
He had previously served in the Cadets and his rank on enlistment was as Sergeant of the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A16 Star of Victoria on 20 October 1914. He served in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front.
He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 28 January 1916, and later commissioned as Captain in the 54th Battalion. He was awarded the Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Though wounded while leading his platoon in the attack, he continued fighting all night. He returned at daylight to have his wounds dressed, but as the enemy developed a counter attack, he disregarded his wounds and organised a party of wounded men and stragglers to resist this attack. He set a fine example of coolness and courage.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184, Date: 14 December 1916
He was later awarded a bar to his Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried a very important message through the most intense hostile barrage, thereby saving the situation at a critical time.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133, Date: 21 August 1917
In addition he was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185, Date: 27 November 1918.
Additional Information
Mr N S Lovett, Public School, Mary Vale, New South Wales, Australia, ordered his headstone inscription: "HE DIED THAT WE MAY LIVE SLEEP ON DEAR BOY TILL WE MEET AGAIN". Two brothers Eric and Clifton served in the war.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
aif.adfa.edu.au
