Harold Frederick Lovell

Air Mechanic 2^nd Class, Royal Air Force

Harold Frederick Lovell was a student at Alleyn’s until 1902 and lived at 4 Brackley Road, Beckenham. He had two brothers, Harold and William Oscar Lovell, who were also students Alleyn’s. After the outbreak of war in August 1914, all three siblings decided to join the war effort. After being attested, Harold joined the Royal Air Force as an Air Mechanic, 2^nd Class and was sent for service overseas on the Western Front. In 1918, he was serving in France as part of the Kite Balloon Section of the RAF. This section used manned balloons to carry out observation and reconnaissance from the air and was tasked with locating artillery pieces, shell spotting and gathering any relevant information for upcoming offensives. Unfortunately, Harold was killed on September 5^th 1918 while carrying out his duty. He is buried at Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery.

With thanks to William Oscar Lovell's grandson, David Straker, for this photograph, for those of all the Lovell brothers, and for some of the information displayed here.