Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Awarded 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 organized a party of wounded men and stragglers to resist this attack. He set a fine example of coolness and courage.'
Awarded Bar to 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.'
Awarded Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

The Dubbo Liberal & Macquarie Advocate NSW 23 april 1918
KILLED IN ACTION
CAPTAIN NORMAN. B. LOVETT. M.C. AND CROIX DE GUERRE.

Profound indeed the regret expressed on every hand when the news came through on Saturday night that Captain Norman Beresford Lovett. M.C. (withbar)and Croix de Guerre (French Cross of War), son of Mr. and Mrs F.S. Lovett, of Maryvale, had fallen in action in France in the present line offensive. Sympathetic references were heard on every hand, and the deep grief of the afflicted parents was condoled with. The Late Captain Lovett was born at. Wongarbon, and was in his 27th year. His, early education was acquired at his father's school at Wongarbon, and later he attended tile school in Dubbo under
the care of Messrs. E. Campling and A. McLachlan. He was first appointed to the Department of Education as assistant teacher at Gilgandra, and then to Bearbong. When the call to arms was sounded he promptly responded, leaving Australia on his 23rd birthday on the 19th October, 1914, within a couple of months of the commencement of hostilities. He obtained his training in Egypt, and left for Gallipoli,

THE LATE CAPTAIN N. B. LOVETT, M.C., C. de G.

where he saw active service, and was wounded. After a spell in hospital for about four months he returned to duty, and remained until the evacuation of the Peninsula. He left for France as second lieutenant, arriving there 0n June 2nd. On 14th July, 1916, he was selected as the Australian representative at the Grand Review in Paris, when representatives of all the Allied troops paraded before President Poincaire. He, with the representatives of Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, stood behind the President and took the salute. A few days later he returned to his battalion, to find that it was preparing to go into action. He joined it, and fought all night after being wounded. He refused to go to the rear, and fought on till daylight. At this period an enemy counter-attack was made, when young Lovett immediately gathered a few men about the camp, and repulsed the enemy. For this he received the Military Cross. A few weeks later he received "a bar to the M.C. "for conspicuous bravery;" and it is only a few days ago that the "Liberal" was pleased to announce that he had received the French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War). For some time the gallant fellow was adjutant of camp some miles behind the lines, when a shortage of officers induced him to try the firing line again, with the last sad result. Front accounts which have reached us from the front Captain Lovett was adored by his men for the kindly consideration he ever showed them. He was brave and daring, and had "hopped over" eight times in bayonet charges on the enemy. He was wounded four times. His bereaved parents have letters from General Birdwoord, complimenting him for his bravery, coolness and courage. In three and a half years of active service the youg officer had only about 11 days' furlough. This was due to the extreme shortage of reinforcements for the Australian Divisions. Another brother, Clif., of Captain Lovett is fighting in France, and a younger brother, Eric, went into camp on Monday.

The "Liberal," in common with the whole community, expresses its deepest regret at the death of this gallant young Australian officer, who seemed destined to achieve big things. And he would have done so had it not been for one defect in our system of securing recruits. It was the shortage of officers which induced him to leave a position of comparative safety behind the lines to re-enter the firing line, where he had been continuously fighting with only a break of 11 days' furlough for 3½ years. That extended spell of duty was due
to lack of reinforcements. To that ominous fact may be ascribed the circumstances leading up to Captain Lovett's death, and doubtless scores of other brave men are sacrificing their lives in the same way and for the same reasons. However, he was a brave man who saw his.duty, and did it, bravely and unselfishly. To his sorrowing parents and relatives, the poignancy of whose grief will be assuaged by the knowledge that he died doing his duty to his flag and his country, we extend our condolences; His family are glorified in the son.

He holds a richer heritage than ours

Who gave for honor of his country 's best

The bright ambitions of his wise, young breast,

The hot adventures of the marching hours.

Life ran with laughter 'mid the morning flowers,

Calling him onward, like a favored guest,

He turned from these upon a friend's behest

To yield Humanity his youthful powers.

He is Commemorated at Soldiers Memorial Wongarbon


Honours and Awards
Awarded: Bar to Military Cross
Unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918


Honours and Awards
Awarded: Belgian Croix de Guerre
Unit: 54th Australian Infantry Battalion
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918


Honours and Awards
Awarded: Military Cross
Unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Collection Items
Photograph (1)