William Sidney LOVETT

Per his military service record (regimental no. 25563), William Sidney Lovett was born at Wellington, N.S.W. He gave his age as 19 years and 7 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his medical examination was height 5 feet 5 ¾ inches tall, weight 141 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had six months experience in the Senior Cadets at Wellington.

W. S. Lovett was named in the Leader as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Orange.[1] He was attested by Captain Nicholas at Orange on the 24^th October 1915, and completed his medical examination in Orange on the same day. It was noted on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form addressed to the Recruiting Officer at Orange that his parents were both deceased.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for 13^th Battalion.

On 1^st February 1916 he was transferred to the reinforcements of the 7^th Field Artillery Brigade.

On 6^th June 2016 he was designated a Gunner.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Warren, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as Miss E. M. [Ethel Mary] Gardiner, friend, “Coolma,” Lower Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay, Sydney, N.S.W.

Gunner Lovett departed Sydney on the HMAT Orsova A67 on 29^th July 1916 with the 2^nd Reinforcements for the 7^th Field Artillery Brigade, and arrived at Plymouth in England on 14^th September 1916.

On 6^th October 1916 Private Lovett was charged with A.W.L., overstaying leave from midnight on 28^th September 1916 to 4 pm on 29^th September 1916. He was fined 2 days pay.

On the 24^th of October 1916 he marched into the 14^th Training Battalion at Hurdcott, Wiltshire, England.

On 25^th November 1916 he was admitted to Fovant Military Hospital in England sick. He was discharged on 12^th December 1916, and marched into the 14^th Training Battalion at Hurdecott. He was re-admitted to hospital for observation on 20^th December 1916.

On 8^th February 1917 Private Lovett departed Folkestone aboard the S.S. Invicta bound for France. He marched into the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France on 9^th February 1917.

He was taken on strength of the 55^th Infantry Battalion on 12^th February 1917 when it was preparing to move into the front line in the vicinity of Longueval, France.

On 10^th May 1917 the 55^th Battalion was manning the front line near Noreuil, France, when Private Lovett was wounded in action by a gas poisoning. He was sent to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance. On 11^th May 1917 he was moved back to the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station. On 12^th May 1917 he was placed aboard the 20^th Ambulance Train and on 13^th May 1917 he was admitted to the 3^rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens, France. On 20^th May 1917 he was transferred to the 18^th General Hospital at Camiers in France.

On 30^th May 1917 he was placed aboard a Hospital Ship for evacuation to England. He was admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth, England, later that day.

He was discharged on 15^th September 1917 and granted two weeks leave, and to report to the Number 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England, on 29^th September 1917.

On 6^th October 1917 Private Lovett was transferred to the Number 4 Command Depot at Codfod, England. On 12^th October 1917 he was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade at Perhham Downs.

On 2^nd November 1917 Private Lovett departed Southampton bound for France.

He marched into the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at le Harve, France, on 3^rd November 1917.

On 14^th November 1917 Private Lovett rejoined the 55^th Battalion. On the same day he was admitted to the 50^th Casualty Clearing Station suffering Dermatitis. On the 16^th of November 1917 he was placed aboard the 20^th Ambulance Train and moved back to the 26^th General Hospital at Etaples, France on the 17^th of November 1917. On the 20^th of November 1917 he was transferred to the 25^th General Hospital. He was discharged on the 5^th of December and sent to the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 24^th December 1917 Private Lovett was transferred to the 7^th Field Artillery Brigade and designated a Gunner, and marched out to the 3^rd Division Artillery.

On 14^th January 1918 Gunner Lovett was appointed Driver.

On 5^th November 1918 Driver Lovett went on leave to England. He returned from leave on 25^th November 1918.

On 12^th February 1919 Driver Lovett was admitted to the 47^th Casualty Clearing Station suffering Influenza. On 20^th February 1919 he was moved to the 55^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 22^nd February 1919 he was placed aboard the 31^st Ambulance Train, and on 24^th February 1919 he was admitted to the 14^th General Hospital. He was discharged on 3^rd March 1919, and sent to the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 9^th April 1919 Driver Lovett was admitted to the 39^th General Hospital with Scabies. He was discharged on 13^th April 1919.

On the 15^th of April 1919 Driver Lovett departed France bound for England to commence his return to Australia. He arrived at Southampton on 16^th April 1919 and marched into the Number 2 Group.

On 15^th June 1919 Driver Lovett departed England aboard the H.T. Swakopmund bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 2^nd August 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 17^th September 1919.

[1] ‘The Recruits,’ Leader, 25 October 1915, p. 4 , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117842599