An outstanding Second World War C.B., C.B.E., ‘Wadi Akarit 1943’ and ‘Monte Cassino 1944’ D.S.O. & Bar group of eleven awarded to Major-General O. de T. Lovett, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, later commanding 7th and 19th Indian Divisions

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; The Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, N.W. Persia (Lieut.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence & War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the Great War medals nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (11) £3500-4500

C.B. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1948.

C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 21 June 1945: ‘Gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean Theatre.’

D.S.O. (Immediate Award) London Gazette 17 June 1943: ‘Gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ The recommendation states:

“Brigadier O de T Lovett was commanding the 7th Indian Bde during the AKARIT operations. It was on his skilful planning and by his Brigade that the almost inaccessible ZOUAI and FATNASSA features were stormed with complete success against determined opposition on a moonless night, and over 2000 prisoners captured there.

The fighting spirit of his Brigade comes from himself and was shown in its best form by the speed, determination and fierceness of the thrust. His tactical skill in this operation could not have been surpassed and his courage and leadership were of the very highest order. Throughout, he was in the middle of the battle under intense shell, mortar and small arms fire conducting operations with his usual coolness and decision. Though wounded in three places early in the battle, one a severe wound, he refused to leave his Brigade and continued in command till the night when the battle was finished and the position secured for good. Brigadier Lovett’s conduct was an inspiration to his whole Brigade and to all from outside who chanced to be near him at any time.”

Bar to D.S.O. (Immediate Award) London Gazette 20 July 1944: ‘Gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The recommendation states:

“Brigadier Lovett commanded the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade in its operations in the hills North and North West of CASSINO from 10 Feb ’44 to 28 Mar ‘44. During the whole of this time the Brigade remained in the line without relief, frequently in heavy rain and snow and under intense shelling and mortaring. The Brigade carried out a major operation against the MONASTERY feature on 17/18 Feb and suffered heavy casualties. During every hour in these hills casualties were being sustained at the rate of some thirty every day and the whole area was exposed to enemy fire and under direct observation. Throughout this period of very considerable strain Brig Lovett remained calm and cheerful, visiting his troops daily and frequently going right up to forward company positions along exposed tracks, to move along which by day brought down mortar and MMG fire. These tracks were covered by enemy snipers who were extremely active during daylight.

It is largely due to his inspiring leadership and personality, contempt of danger and personal example that his Brigade were able to remain in position without relief throughout this period. His responsibilities were more than ordinarily large because the sector under his command required five battalions to hold and carry out the operational role assigned to him. Owing to the great difficulty in communications it was not until Brigadier Lovett had himself visited his forward positions on 18 Feb that it was possible to obtain accurate and invaluable information of the situation after the attack on the MONASTERY. His clear appreciation of the tactical side of the operations was always of the greatest value and his services throughout the period were outstanding. It was only through his own courage and energy that tired and very depleted battalions were kept offensively minded and the influence of his actions was most clearly felt whenever things were at their worst.”

Osmond de Turville Lovett was born on 21 October 1898, and educated at Blundell’s School and Cadet College, Quetta. Commissioned on 18 June 1917, he was posted to 1/9th Gurkha Rifles and shortly afterwards cross-posted to the 2/9th G.R. in Mesopotamia, where he saw active service from 16 May 1918 to 3 May 1919. He then transferred top the 2nd Goorkhas, 1st Battalion, as a reinforcement and joined them in North West Persia, serving with them in that theatre until their return to India. During this period he was wounded whilst successfully ambushing a party of Bolsheviks during a snowstorm on 16 December 1920, and recommended for the Military Cross for his work on this day. It was not awarded but he was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in N.W. Persia during 1919-20.

Seconded to the Mandalay Battalion, Burma Military Police, as Assistant Commandant, in November 1923, he did not return to the 1st Battalion until 1925. From May 1928 to May 1933 he was seconded for duty with the Indian State Forces as Adjutant General Patiala State. He was cross-posted to the 2nd Battalion in January 1934 and accompanied it to Waziristan in 1939 where, on 5 October he had a sharp encounter with the enemy whilst conducting a reconnaissance of the Biche Kashki road as far as Sein, during which his force sustained one casualty.

Appointed Senior Supervising Officer of the Shamsher Dal Battalion of the Nepalese Contingent in 1940, he was soon afterwards given command of the Regimental Centre, raising and commanding the 4th Battalion. He was appointed to the command of the 1st Battalion in April 1941, leaving Meerut for Iraq and the South Persian ports the following July. He commanded the Battalion throughout its wanderings in Persia, Iraq, Cyprus, and in the North African campaign until March 1943, when he was appointed to command the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade of the 4th Indian Division.

He was wounded in three places during the battle of Wadi Akarit but continued to command the Brigade until the issue of the battle was clear. The battle of Wadi Akarit lasted only a day but the fighting was described by General Montgomery as “heavier and more savage than any we have had since Alamein”. Lovett was awarded an Immedeiate D.S.O. and continued in command of the 7th Brigade throughout the Tunisian campaign and in Italy, where he was awarded an Immediate Bar to his D.S.O. for the action at Monte Cassino.

In 1945 Lovett temporarily commanded the 4th Indian Division in Greece and was made a C.B.E. for these services in June of that year. In October 1945 he was given command of the 19th Indian Division and later the 7th Indian Division in Malaya. He afterwards took over command of the Rawalpindi District during the troublesome time of partition. General Lovett retired in 1948 to settle in Natal, South Africa, where he took up farming in the Mooi River District. He died in Natal on 17 October 1982, just four days short of his 84th birthday.