Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Chief Motor Mechanic Fourth Class

Unit:

H.M.S. MTB 74, Royal Navy

Awarded on:

May 1st, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Chariot

"In the attack on St. Nazaire on 28th March, 1942, a shell passed through the engine-room of Motor Torpedo Boat 74 and Chief Motor Mechanic Lovegrove was wounded by splinters down the right leg. Disregarding his wounds he set to work to repair the centre engine, which had been put out of action, and although bleeding badly and in great pain he continued until he had repaired it, thus enabling the ship to set out on her return voyage. After starting for home the ship was again hit and became one mass of flame. The crew abandoned ship, but Lovegrove seeing that the Commanding Officer was not with them, fought his way through the flames to look for him in the wheelhouse where he had been blown by the force of the explosion. He brought him on deck, pulled him into the water and swam with him to a Carley float, where he supported him for some twelve hours until they were picked up by the enemy.

But for Chief Motor Mechanic Lovegrove's resolute action, and unselfish courage his Commanding Officer would not have survived