William Oscar Lovell

Signaller, RAF

William Oscar Lovell (known as Oscar) was a student at Alleyn’s until 1904 and lived at 4 Brackley Road, Beckenham. He had two brothers, Harold and Arthur, 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, Oscar joined the Royal Air Force as a Signaller and was sent for service overseas. His brother, Harold, also served with the RAF but was later killed in action on the September 5^th 1918, while his brother Arthur was also killed just three weeks later in the Battle of Loos.

Oscar was subject to a mustard gas attack while in the trenches, which affected him for the rest of his life. He did however marry and have a family. His great grandsons attended Alleyn's just over one century after Oscar.

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