Both My Legs: The Love Song of Howard Lovell

Sidney Allinson is a Victoria-based communications consultant, Canadian
news correspondent for Britain’s The Army Quarterly and Defence, and
the author of Military Archives: International Directory of Military
Publications and The Bantams: The Untold St

Both My Legs is the moving story of the author’s grandfather, a
soldier who lost both legs in battle during World War II. Howard
“Babe” Lovell was 18 years old when, 10 months under legal age for
overseas service, he enlisted in the Canadian army. Typical of the young
men of his time, he was imbued with patriotism and proud to become a
gunner in the Royal Canadian Field Artillery. Drawing upon letters his
grandfather wrote while overseas, the author carefully reconstructs
Lovell’s training in Britain, his romance with a Scotswoman in the
Army Territorial Service (they made plans to marry), and his active
service in Italy.

Hemsworth effectively conveys the desperation of Canada’s front-line
troops, who fought on without hope of being relieved by fresh
reinforcements. Casualties mounted, until finally young Lovell was
trapped by shellfire in a ruined farmhouse. The account of how both his
legs were slowly burned off makes for grim reading. Lovell’s fiancée
insisted that they wed as planned, and the couple made a successful and
happy marriage. Several different kinds of courage are honored in this
deeply affecting tribute.