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The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. R E Lovett

 

Reginald Eric Lovett was born in Hendon on 20th October 1913, the son of Reginald and Lily Lovett.

He was educated at Christ's College, Finchley. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in November 1935. He was posted to 8 FTS, Montrose on February 8th 1936 and joined 66 Squadron at Duxford on August 16th.

 

 

Above: Sgt. L Pilkington, F/Lt. R Lovett, F/O N Orton April 1940.

 

In early September 1939 Lovett was a Flight Commander with 73 Squadron in France. He shot down a French Potez 63 in error for a Do17 on December 18th and the crew of two were killed. On March 22nd 1940 he destroyed a Me109, on the 26th a Do17 and another enemy aircraft and on April 12th a Me110. Lovett was shot down on May 10th. He was unable to bale out and crash-landed badly burned.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 16th July 1940). On July 23rd Lovett rejoined 73, then at Church Fenton.

On 15th August he claimed a Ju88 destroyed and probably another. In combat over Burnham on 5th September Lovett was shot down by return fire from a Ju88, in Hurricane P3204, and baled out, unhurt. His descending aircraft struck Spitfire R6635, its pilot F/Lt. JT Webster baled out but fell dead with his parachute unopened.

Two days later Lovett was shot down and killed in combat. His Hurricane, P3234, crashed on Fritze Farm, Stock, near Billericay.

Lovett was 26 and is buried in Hendon Cemetery.

 

 

 

 


 

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