I’ve been looking into F/Lt Lovell for a chap in Australia, who’s mother was married to him before he was killed, and through CWGC, London Gazette, Typhoon and Tempest Story and a book written all in French (!) I gathered this much. Anyone know any more please? Or Sgt Smith, who was killed in the same attack?
107258 Flight Lieutenant Stuart James Lovell
Killed in action aged 27 at approximately 10:30 on Saturday 29th January 1944 with 183 Squadron when he was shot down by German Flak in Hawker Typhoon MK1B MM970 whilst attacking Guipavas Airfield near Brest, Brittany, France. F/Lt Lovell is buried at Kerfautras Cemetery in Brest; Plot 46. Row 11. Grave 2.
Son of Stuart C. Anthony and Clare Mary Lovell, of Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland; husband of Alicia Lovell, of Epsom, Surrey. His brother, 40402 Wing Commander Anthony Desmond Joseph Lovell, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar, D.F.C. (American) also died on service Friday 17 August 1945 Aged 26 and is buried at Portrush Cemetery, County Antrim, Northern Ireland; Sec. F. Grave 1153.
The London Gazette records the following:
Plt. Offs. (prob.) confmd., in appts. and to be
Flg. Offs. (war subs.) :—
S. J. LOVELL (107258). 20th Sept. 1942. (There must be other mentions, but i’ve not found them yet)
1394048 Sergeant Sidney William Smith
Killed in action aged 23 at approximately 10:30 on Saturday 29th January 1944 with 183 Squadron when he was shot down by Flak in Hawker Typhoon MK1B JP973 HF-E whilst attacking Guipavas Airfield near Brest, Brittany, France. Aircraft crashed in the nearby commune of Plabannec, injuring 6 civilians.
Sgt Smith is buried at Kerfautras Cemetery in Brest; Plot 46. Row 11. Grave 1.
Son of Sidney Walter and Annie Smith, of Hempstead, Kent.
Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery is in the suburb of St Martin which is approximately 2 kilometres north-east of the centre of Brest. The main cemetery entrance is in Rue Massillon, off Rue Jules Ferry, which is a turning off the main road, Rue Jean Jaures. The Commonwealth war graves are located in the French Military Plot on the west side of the cemetery.
By: Snapper - 21st May 2003 at 21:26
Lovell is second from left. This is 257 sqdn.
By: Snapper - 16th May 2003 at 20:34
Hmmm. I’ll trust you on that Kev – I have him as ‘failed to return’ in Chris Thomas’ book. A case of me ‘assuming’ – can’t remember the details I heard first time around, when Lovell and Smith came to my attention.
By: kev35 - 16th May 2003 at 08:41
Snapper.
Thought you might be interested to know that Fighter Command Losses indicate that Sgt. Smith was shot down by a fighter rather than flak. Also indicates F/Lt Lovell’s brither sadly died in a flying accident.
Regards,
kev35
By: kev35 - 16th May 2003 at 08:33
dhfan.
I would assume it is a local ‘modification’, probably to keep them ‘together’ as they died on the same operation.
Next time you visit Cosford why not go back through Cannock. There is the Commonwealth War Cemetery on the Chase. Predominantly containing Great War burials it is a serene and tranquil place. Right next to it is the Deutsches Soldatenfriedhof or German Military Cemetery. This is an altogether darker place due to the trees and the planting which is apparently reminiscent of Bavaria. No less tranquil, you will find many of the German airmen killed during the Battle of Britain and after buried there.
Regards,
kev35
By: dhfan - 16th May 2003 at 01:52
To my shame, I’ve never been to a military cemetery, here or abroad.
Obviously seen pictures and on TV loads of times. The border enclosing the two gaves looks unusual.
Is there a reason for it?
By: kev35 - 15th May 2003 at 23:45
Interesting. Nice to see they were buried side by side. Have you tried the press in the areas they came from? That might get you a photo.
Regards,
kev35
By: Snapper - 15th May 2003 at 22:52
Smiths grave.
By: Snapper - 15th May 2003 at 22:49
Lovells grave
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May 15, 2003 at 10:47 pm