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| Birth | 1896, Herriard, Hants |  |
| Parents | Son of Arthur & Elizabeth Oliver | |
| Residence | Lower Froyle, Hants | |
| Occupation | Farm Labourer | |
| Enlisted | 19th July 1915, Winchester, Hants | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) | |
| Regimental No: | 29577 | |
| Rank | Private | |
| Service Record | Formerly 14260, Hampshire Regiment | |
| Death | 3rd November 1916, killed in action, aged 20 | |
| Theatre of War | France & Flanders | |
| Commemoration | Thiepval Memorial | |
| Medals | Victory Medal, British War Medal | |
| Frederick Oliver was born in Herriard, near Basingstoke, in1896. He was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth (née Hedges) Oliver and one of eleven children, according to his niece, Valerie Taylor. She kindly allowed us to use this photograph of her Uncle Fred in uniform. She believes the family moved to Husseys Lane, Lower Froyle, around 1900 and remained there until at least 1925. After enlisting towards the end of 1914, Frederick served with the Hampshire Regiment, as number 14260 and was sent to Gallipoli on 15th July 1915. He was shot in the shoulder and badly injured on 10th September and repatriated back to England. Following his recovery, he was transferred to the 6th Battalion (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Wiltshire Regiment, serving as 29577 Private Frederick Oliver . On 3rd November 1916 Frederick lost his life in the trenches near Aveluy, while taking part in the battle of the Somme, just one of over 72,000 men who were lost in the Somme battles between July 1916 and March 1918. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission states that over 90% of these soldiers died in the first Battle of the Somme between 1st July and 18th November 1916. The regiment’s war diary records: |
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...(Nov.) During relief enemy artillery were very active causing some 30 casualties. State of trenches very bad indeed. During this tour in trenches enemy artillery continually shelling. On the 3rd, 2nd Lt. Greene was killed. Our total casualties were 13 other ranks killed, 43 wounded and 1 Missing... |
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| We believe that Frederick Oliver was that missing man! The parish magazine announced his death, under the heading ‘The War’: |
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Again we have to record the death of one of our Froyle men. Fred Oliver has given his life for his Country. May he rest in peace and may God comfort his parents and family in their sorrow. |
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| Private Frederick Oliver was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. |
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| He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, Pier & Face 13A. | ||