LOVETT, Henry George
| Service Number: | 21419 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
| Born: | Stockton, New South Wales, 9 February 1913 |
| Home Town: | Toronto, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Shift foreman |
| Died: | Accidental (plane crash), Port Stephens, New South Wales, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery Plot E, Row D, Grave 12, Sandgate War Cemetery, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 21419, Newcastle, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 21419 | |
| 2 Jul 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 21419 | |
| 24 May 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 21419, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
Help us honour Henry George Lovett's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Father Arthur Lovett and Mother Marguerita Lovett,
lived at Stockton, Newcastle, New South Wales
Wife: Thelma Margaret Lovett, lived at 157 Brighton Avenue, Toronto, NSW
(married 02/05/1931)
(30/10/1985 lived at 25a Harbourside Haven, Shoal Bay, NSW)
Children:
Ronald George Lovett (b. 25/10/1931)
Robyn Adele Lovett (b. 28/02/1939)
- married, known as Mrs Robyn Hams, lived at Baulkham Hills, NSW
Previous service: 5 years 39 Fortress Engineers
Described on enlisting into WWII as 27 years 3 months of age; married; 5' 6" tall;
168 lbs; fair complexion; grey eyes; dark brown hair
01/07/1940 enlisted into WWII RAAF at Mayfield, NSW
appointed aircraftman
19/01/1941 to 28/03/1941 - course - Flight Rigger - PASSED
04/01/1942 to 20/03/1942 - Conversion course from Flight Rigger to Fitter II A
PASSED
Appointed as Leading Aircraftman with 3 Operational Training Unit
RAAF PBY-5 Catalina, A24-39 (USN 0826), of 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines (3 OTU) crashed during a landing in rough seas opposite Wonderrabah Knob, Port Stephens, New South Wales at 0915 hours on 24 May 1943. The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in February 1942. The flight was part of an inspection of the Broken Bay and Port Stephens areas. F/Lt Higgins had flown to Port Stephens to see if the water was rough enough to carry out rough water landings as laid down in No. 3 OTU training. The OTU course had been extended by one week so that the pilots could get training in rough water landings. F/Lt Higgins had apparently decided that Broken Bay was not suitable for the training and proceed to Port Stephens where he crashed on landing.
Seven men were killed in the crash and two were injured as follows:-
Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins (400620) - Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Max Alexander Larkan (409842) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Sergeant Alan Fullerton Craddock (408799) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Norman John Brown (411992) W.A. Gunner - Killed
Corporal Thomas Henry Poole (19812) Fitter 2E - Killed
LAC Henry George Lovett (21419) - Fitter 2A - Killed
Sergeant John Johnson (411710) - W.A. Gunner - Seriously injured
Corporal Jaffre David James (8164) - Fitter 2E - Killed
AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow (72521) - Armourer - Slight Shock
Henry was buried in:
Sandgate War Cemetery, Sandgate, Newcastle, New South Wales
Plot E, Row D, Grave 12
Medals: War medal 1939-43; Australia Service medal 1939-45
His name is commemorated on Panel 112 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
His name is also commemorated on a plaque at 5a Lighthouse Road, Inner Light Maritime
Museum & Tea Rooms, Nelson Bay, NSW.
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 12/03/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.