Corps of Military Police

Cap Badge of the Corps of Military Police (King George V)
Soldier Details:
Surname: Lovelock
Initials:   E.
Rank:   Lance Corporal
Army No.:  671
Notes:   MFP. Formerly 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, No 4771. He was born at Swindon and enlisted 26/7/97, occupation Labourer, died suicide, Cork, Ireland 28/6/03, Army Register of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929. 26/7/1897 enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment No. 4771, age 18 years, occupation Labourer, born Sunton, Wiltshire. 28/8/1902 transferred to MFP. Served Home 26/7/1897 to 15/12/1899, South Africa 16/12/1899 to 15/11/1902, Home 16/11/1902 to 28/6/1902 died, suicide Cork Ireland. Fathers address: 127 Clifton Street, Sunton, Wiltshire. His army record has statements of witnesses to his suicide and this letter date 30/6/1903 from the Garrison Adjutant Cork to Provost Marshal, Aldershot. It is reported for your information that No. 671 L/Cpl E Lovelock, MFP committed suicide at Cork on the 28th inst, whilst temporarily insane. An inquest was held on the 29th inst, and a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was recorded. Will you please cause me to be furnished as soon as possible with a certified copy of this NCO's record of service. The Public clothing shall be returned to you in due course. The funeral took place this day. Will you please arrange to post an NCO to Cork in relief, as soon as possible as in addition to being now two under establishment, one of the Police is detached to Kelworth Camp. Ernest Lovelock. Extract from the Gloucester Citizen, 30/6/1903. A Swindon Corporal's Suicide. An inquest was held on Monday at Cork Barracks on the body of Corporal Lovelock, of the Military Foot Police, a native of Swindon, who was found shot dead in bed on Sunday morning. Evidence having been given to the effect that deceased had complained that a girl with whom he had kept company had been seen with another soldier, and that he head also said he had received bad news from his home, a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane. Extract from the Belfast News-Letter 30 June 1903. Yesterday in Cork Military Barracks, Coroner Blake inquired into the death of Lance Corporal Ernest Lovelock, aged twenty four years, of the Military Foot Police. The deceased who belonged to Swindon, Wiltshire, was found dead in bed, with a rifle pointing to his head. At 6.30 the previous morning Miss Denny stated that she had been walking out with deceased on the 27th inst. While in he house he accused her of walking with another man, which she denied. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)
  1. Decoration:   Queen's South Africa Medal Gazette Date: 1901-02-16 Gazette Issue: 322 Gazette Page: 241
Citation:   Clasps: Cape Colony, Transvaal awarded as No. 4771 Pte. E Lovelock, 2 Wiltshire Regiment. Clasp: South Africa 1901 awarded as No. 4771, Pte. 2 Wiltshire Regiment on Queens South Africa Medal Roll, Remarks: To MFP. WO 100/197, 322, 14/3/1903.
  2. Decoration:   King's South Africa Medal Gazette Date: 1903-11-18 Gazette Issue: WO 100/355 Gazette Page: 309
Citation:   Clasps: South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. Awarded on MFP medal roll as No. 671 L/Cpl Lovelock E, unit 2 Wilts Regt, No. 4771. Medal Roll annotated: committed suicide whilst temporary insane. Not listed in Boer War casualties.
Casualty Details:
Date Killed: 28th June 1902
Company: UNKNOWN
Cemetery: UNKNOWN   UNITED KINGDOM
CWGC Search:
Grave Photograph:
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