Hand-coloured studio portrait of Captain (Capt) Norman Beresford Lovett, Military Cross (MC) and ...

Hand-coloured studio portrait of Captain (Capt) Norman Beresford Lovett, Military Cross (MC) and Bar, Croix de Guerre, who was born at Wongarbon, NSW, the son of Frederick Samuel and Emma Lovett. Lovett enlisted on 23 August 1914 and was assigned regimental number 448, C Squadron, 1st Light Horse Regiment, which embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 20 October 1914. He received a gun shot wound to the right leg on 28 May 1916. On 6 September 1916, Lovett was commissioned as a lieutenant and stationed in the Cario area where he was assigned to the newly formed 53rd Battalion which soon moved to the Western Front in France. This battalion was one of the units which took part in the Battle of Fromelles and Lovett was wounded in this action on 22 September 1916. He was promoted to Captain on 25 May 1917 and soon after transferred to the 54th Battalion. In April 1918, the battalion became involved in fighting in the Villers-Bretonneux area. Lovett was also appointed as Adjutant of the unit. Early on 9 April 1918, the Germans launched a heavy bombardment in which the Headquarters of the 54th Battalion was hit with the result that the Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer were mortally wounded and the Lovett was killed on 9 April 1918. During his service in France, it is evident that Lovett performed with great distinction , being awarded the Military Cross on 14 December 1916, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Though wounded while leading his platoon in the attack, he continued fighting all night...". He was awarded a Bar to his MC on 30 March 1917. Lovett was also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre on 19 January 1918 by the French Authorities. He is buried in the Aubigney British Cemetery (Somme), France. It was not uncommon for studios to make mistakes when "enhancing" portraits such as this and here the artist has painted the MC and Bar in the centre of the ribbons rather than its proper position at far left (Lovett's right) of the three. The artist has also failed to include the ribbon for the British War Medal which would have accompanied Lovett's medals when sent to his family c 1920.