George Frederick Lovell

(Photo and text from "Who's Who In Newport" 1920.)

Lovell, George Frederick was born at Abergavenny in 1862. At the age of 15 years started to learn the confectionery trade in Newport. Commenced business for himself about 36 years ago at 125 Commercial street, and from that date the history of the firm has been one of continued growth. So much is this the case, that today there is at Crindan, Newport, a thoroughly well equipped, up to date factory for the manufacture of high class chocolates and confectionery, where there are employed about 600 people. Situated in the centre of the town are six high class sweet shops and cafes, and another shortly to be opened, besides a wholesale depot and retail shop and cafe at Pontypridd, also at Swansea a wholesale depot and four shops. At Manchester, too, the firm have a fine factory for similar manufacture, where there also are employed about 600 people, with also wholesale depots at Liverpool and Wrexham. During the war (owing to the shortage of sugar and other raw materials) the firm turned a big part of the Newport works into a munition factory. Special plant and machinery wrere installed, and parts were made for mine sinkers, tank links. &c., while repairs were done to ammunition boxes at the rate of 6,000 weekly. To deal with these large numbers, it was found necessary to acquire further premises, and those recently occupied by the Newport Taxi Co. being vacant, were secured. A large number of the old hands were trained for this special war work. Official record was made during the war of the firm as an example of how labour can be employed efficiently. Since the war these premises have been converted into a motor garage, where an efficient staff of workmen are employed for all kinds of repairs and motor body building. Mr. Lovell has been twice married, and is the father of four children. The elder son, a pilot in the R.F.C., was killed in action. On a return journey, after bombing Gontrode Aerodrome at night, during a dense fog, his machine struck a tree, and he was killed instantly. Mr. Lovell's elder daughter, Lilian, married, in 1917, Lieut. E. B. Newton, R.E., borough engineer of Paddington. He was killed in action April 9th, 1918. Mr. Lovell has been president of the Confectioners' Association, United Kingdom, since 1913. Is a Freemason, and was W.M. of the Silurian Lodge, Newport, 1903. His recreation is trout fishing. Address: Mon. Confectionery Works, Crindau. Telegrams: Lovell. Tel. 3300. Residence: Broughton, Clytha Park. Tel. 3354.