Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

An analytical chemist, from Footscray Victoria, Private Lovett enlisted in April 1916. He disembarked at Plymouth England 14 September 1916, and proceeded to France 8 December 1916, where he joined the 58th Battalion and was killed in action on the 26th September 1917. He was buried in the vicinity of Polygon Wood, and remains were later found and buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery after the war.

His sister wrote in the Roll of Honour form "May 1st 1916, enlisted, sailed from Melbourne 1st August 1916. Landed in France December 1916. Spent that terrible winter on the Somme, but being a true soldier, made no complaints, neither did he write ever and tell of any times he was in the firing line, though he was in many stunts and conducted himself most fearlessly. We are led to believe he was in the Intelligence Corps. He was an only son, and a grandson of the late D.Warran, Crimean Veteran."

A witness to his death 2496 Pte.R.Russell 58th Battalion, stated "I knew casualty, he was a stout built man about 5' 6" in height, about 23 years of age. Casualty was in the advance at Polygon Wood and was digging in after getting objectives, when a high explosive shell landed in the trench, killing him instantly. I saw his body lying in the trench as I passed by a little later. I do not know where he was buried."

2987 Pte Green 58th Battalion, "Polygon Wood. Blown to pieces by a shell out in the open, I was near him at the time. He was sitting in one shell hole, and I was sittng in the next one. I knew him well, had been in the same platoon for 12 months. He comes from Moonee Ponds Victoria." Red Cross file.

This article appeared in the “Evening Post” 1930

His Honour Tree.

From Melbourne comes the story of a soldier’s unique memorial. Years ago whilst listening enraptured to a fairy tale about a general who camped his army under the spreading branches of a giant oak, a Footscray schoolboy conceived the thrilling idea of growing a forest monarch of his very own. So he found an acorn, planted it in an old jam tin, and sometime afterwards had the satisfaction of seeing it take root and sprout into a fine young oak tree.

Today the tree, now grown to a height of about 20 feet, stands among others near the main walk in Footscray Hill Park, a living monument to its planter, Private Eldred Clayton Lovett, who was killed at Polygon Wood on 26th September 1917. When he planted his seedling, Eldred Lovett, then a sturdy youngster of 12, attended the High Street State School, had thoughts, perhaps, of becoming a great general-just as gallant a soldier as any in the army of the fabled general.

Indeed, according to his father, Mr. Charles Lovett, he spent most of his time “playing soldiers” with the other boys of the district. While he was serving in France the young soldier’s parents carefully tended the tree he had planted in childhood, transplanting it from the jam tin to a small keg, and as it spread it branches, to the garden.

It was still flourishing- a virile young oak, full of promise and life- when news was received that young Lovett had been killed in battle. After the war Lovett’s parents decided that their young soldier son could have no finer memorial than the one that he had raised from his own hands, so they had his tree transplanted to the Footscray Park. It is the only oak tree there, and it is a favorite meeting place for children in playtime, sturdy little boys of 12 or thereabouts, who like to “play soldiers.’ 

Charlie Lovett, Eldred’s father, lived in Footscray all his life and was involved in the establishment and life of many of its sporting and social organizations. He was the first captain of the Footscray Football Club.