2nd Lieutenant Henry Wilson Lovett, 1st/13th

Subject: 2nd Lieutenant Henry Wilson Lovett, 1st/13th Sun May 17, 2020 3:19 pm

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2nd Lieutenant Henry Wilson Lovett, 1st Battalion, 13th (1st Somersetshire) Prince Albert's Light Infantry.
(John Young Collection.)

H. W. Lovett was born on 31st July 1858.

His family home was Henlle Hall, Wellington, near Oswestry, Shropshire.

Gazetted to the Royal Carnarvon Militia (Rifle Corps) on 13th June 1876 to be a Sub-Lieutenant (Supernumerary).

Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, 13th (1st Somersetshire) Prince Albert's Light Infantry on 21st August 1878. Joined his battalion in South Africa.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1st July 1881 in what was by then the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry.

Promoted to the rank of Captain on 1st July 1887.

The following is taken from Hart's Army List, 1898:
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Lieutenant Henry Wilson Lovett, circa 1881, in Mess Dress wearing a miniature of his Zulu War Medal.
(John Young Collection.)

JY

"IN 1884–5 Major Henry Wilson Lovett was a member of the unsuccessful expedition to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum.
Major Lovett joined Prince Albert’s Light Infantry from the Shropshire Militia in 1878.
He saw action for the first time in the Anglo–Zulu War of 1879.
He was later attached to the Egyptian Army from 1884-86.
Lovett took part in the expedition of 1884-85 to relieve General Charles Gordon at Khartoum, Sudan.
The expedition arrived too late to save General Gordon and his troops.
General Gordon attended Fullands House School, South Road, Taunton, from 1843-46. During this time he lodged at a house in Upper High Street.
The Siege of Khartoum Medal (second from right) was issued by General Gordon in 1884.
The medals are on display at the Somerset Military Museum, part of the Museum of Somerset."

Source:bridgwatermercury

Peter,

Not sure who has made the mistake but the newspaper report is inaccurate.

The officer in Shropshire Militia was Captain William Lovett, rather than Henry W. Lovett who served as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Carnarvon.

Here’s the evidence from Hart’s Army List:
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Also see The London Gazette for confirmation -https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24615/page/4715

JY

John here's the link.

https://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/12910455.somerset-history-in-an-object-medals-from-the-failed-bid-to-relieve-general-charles-gordon-at-khartoum/

Peter,

Thanks for that.

I’ve already seen the article, hence my comment about it being inaccurate, either the museum at Taunton or reporter have made the error.

JY

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