Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

  Severely wounded in action at Uitralskop 2 March 1901 [GSW hip and finger]. Invalided to Australia, arrived 23 July 1901.

Trooper Christopher Lovelock was on of 5 children of Elizabeth Dunstall and William Lovelock and he grew up in the Yankalilla and Clare regions in South Australia.

He was a farmer prior to enlisting to fight in the Boer War in 1899. The Bushmen's Contingent he joined had a farewell concert held for them at the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition Gardens on 3 March 1900. His Contingent embarked for South Africa aboard the transport Maplemore at Port Adelaide on the 27th February 1900. They disembarked at Beira, 1st April and participated in operations in Western Transvaal from June, 1900, to April, 1901.

They fought at at Buffel's Hoek on the 13th of August and at Ottoehoop on 12th September.  Trooper Lovelock took water to his CO Captain Hubbe who unfortunately died in the fighting at Ottoehoop. As a result of this brave action he was Mentioned in Despatches. Further fighting occurred at Lichtenberg on the 26th of September.  In February 1901 the Contingent was involved in a fighting at Uitralskop and then heavy fighting at Rietfontein.

Trooper Lovelock was severely wounded in action at Uitralskop 2 March 1901 [GSW hip and finger], he had 2 horses shot out from under him in this action.  After spending time in hospital he was invalided to Australia arriving 23rd July 1901. He attended a welcome home social and dance at the Mallala Institute on his return, the social was to welcome home a Mallala local, Trooper House, also of the 3rd SA Bushmens Contingent. After the war he returned to farming and he received a pension due to his wounds.

He married Olive Freebairn at Condowie on the 31st December 1907 and together they had 5 children. In 1912 he entered into an agreement with A J Godlee to provide seed wheat, unfortunately a dispute arose which ended up in Court in 1915 with Christopher suing Godlee for £182 for not paying back enough seed wheat following a harvest.  Unfortunately Christopher lost the action and had to pay costs.  In the Depression he lost the farm and he then started a business.

Three children served during WWII; Allan Rawson Lovelock SX33627, Stanley Gavin Lovelock SX23208 and Peggie Elizabeth Lovelock SFX29707 (also SX18827).

He passed away and was buried at Condowie on the 26th of January 1939. His obituary, published in The Advertiser on Friday March 2 1939 read:

The death of Mr. Christopher Silas Rawson Lovelock removed a well-known resident of Snowtown.

Born at Yankalilla in 1876, he was the eldest son of the late William and Elizabeth Lovelock, of Blyth. He was educated at the Blyth and Red Hill public schools. In 1899 he joined the Bushmen's Corps and served in the Boer war as a trooper. As a result of wounds, he was in hospital for 11 months, first in South Africa and later in Adelaide. On his return to Blyth the residents presented him with a medal. In 1908 he married Olive, youngest daughter of the late Gavin and Lillias Freebairn. For many years Mr. Lovelock was interested in farming and lived at Blyth, Red Hill, and Condowie. He held many positions in public affairs. These included president of the local sub-branch of the R.S.L., the Snowtown Coursing Club and the Snowtown council, trustee of the agricultural society, and a member of the racing club and hospital board. He leaves a widow, three daughters Mrs. W. Van Tenac, Misses Nita and Peggie Lovelock—and two sons—Messrs .Allan and Stanley Lovelock.

(The nominal roll published in the Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa, by Murray p 355 incorrectly notes him as C.S.A. Lovelock.)