Lot 3672

Description

Family Group with one KIA: Brothers: Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 2966 T-Cpl J.I. Oliver. 17 Bn. A.I.F. on first pair and 113 L-Cpl. R.V. Oliver 53 Bn. A.I.F. on second pair. Both pairs impressed. Both pairs swing mounted, very fine.

James Ingles Oliver, motor driver, age 25, born at Bombala, NSW; Enl.24Jul1916; Emb.25Oct1916; served in France interspersed with various trips to hospital with ailments; WIA 13Aug1918, gassing in France; 24Aug1918 admitted to 2/1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham suffering with Trench Fever and Gas Poisoning; RTA 22Nov1919; Disembarked at Sydney 12Jan1920; Disch.26Feb1920.

Roland Victor Oliver, labourer, age 19, born at Bombala, NSW; Enl.09Jan1916; previous service of 2 years in Senior Cadets - he was also a footballer and cyclist; a report in the Bombala Times dated 28Jan1916 stated, 'The following local recruits left Bombala on Monday to join "The Men from Snowy River" at Bungendore' and listed was R. Oliver; Emb.18May1916; 29Jul1916 TOS Cyclist Training Bn; 07Sep1916 TOS 3rd Bn Cyclists Training; 30Sep1916 Training Bn proceeded to France; 13Oct1916 joined 53rd Bn; various terms in sick bay or hospital ensued; 23May1917 brought to notice of Corps Commander for gallant conduct during recent operations; 30May1917 to Seniors School as Batman; further terms of sickness and hospitalisation followed, one of these occasions from being poisoned from Gassing on 17Apr1918 while serving in Villers-Bretonneux; 16Sep1918 apptd Lance Corporal; KIA 30Sep1918 at Bullecourt in the Hindenburg Line, France - Major P.I. Roberts of 53rd Bn wrote to his father, 'Your son has on many occasions proved himself a very gallant boy. During the Bullecourt attack he carried out his duties as runner through heavy machine gun and artillery fire and his dispatches always arrived at their destination. For his good work he was mentioned in dispatches (in fact he was 'Mentioned in Corps Routine Orders).' Another soldier, Pte W.H. Whartout said that Dick (as he was nicknamed) met his death by a machine gun bullet in the head. He was a great favourite in the Company and a special cobber of the writer. He died as he lived nobly and bravely.' Roland 'Dick' Oliver was buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, East of Peronne, France.

With research.