Lieutenant Ivon Govett Sewell was born in Kensington, London in January 1879 and was commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers from the Militia as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1899. Shortly afterwards advanced to Lieutenant, he was actively engaged in the Boer War and served in the relief of Ladysmith operations, including the actions of the Tugela Heights, Colenso and Pieter's Hill, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 8.2.1901 and 10.9.1901 refer).

Seconded for service with the West African Frontier Force in December 1903, Sewell served in operations against the Okpotos in the Bassa Province in Northern Nigeria and in July of the following year commanded a force sent against the Kilba Tribe near Yola. At the head of two Officers, two N.C.Os, 152 Rank and File and two Maxims, he encountered 'a good deal of opposition but no serious fighting'. His mission accomplished at the cost of two wounded, he was commended by Lugard, High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria: 'There was a great deal of hard marching and work generally and Lieutenant Sewell deserves credit for the way in which he commanded operations'. Twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 25.8.1905 refers), Sewell also participated in the Munshi operations of early 1906, but no clasp was issued for these activities, the men being quickly recalled as a result of the Satiru uprising.

Described by at least one source as a 'brilliant Officer', Sewell died of malaria at Zungera on 28.6.1913, aged 34 years. He had been advanced to Captain in May 1907.