Name
Oliver George James Gravestock
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14451
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead, St Paul's Church Memorial Scroll, Hemel Hempstead
Pre War
Oliver George James Gravestock was born in Hemel Hempstead in 1896, the son of Edward and Millicent Gravestock, and baptised there on 4 October 1896. Although registered as George Oliver, he seems to have been known as Oliver George on most other records. He was baptised at St Mary's Church, Hemel Hempstead on 4 October 1896 and one of ten children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead where his father was working as a Bricklayer. They remained in Piccotts End on the 1911 Census.
They later lived in Chapel Street, Hemel Hempstead and New Buildings, Mayne Street, Hemel Hempstead.
Wartime Service
Oliver [George] enlisted in Hemel Hempstead in September 1914 and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was posted to the 6th Battalion and sent to Aldershot for training, later moving to Andover and Salisbury Plain. He served in France from 24 August 1915 when the Battalion disembarked at Le Havre, proceeding to Orville, near Amiens.
The Battalion first saw major action in July 1916 at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (part of the Battle of the Somme) which resulted in heavy casualties. Oliver was soon in action again at the Battle of Pozieres and later in the year at Ancre in November.
He was killed in action on 29 April 1917, aged 20, during the Battle of Arleux (part of the Battle of Arras). He was missing after an attack at dawn on Greenland Hill and has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £12 and his mother his pay owing of £4 6s 6d, His father also served in the war, enlisting at the age of 43 in 1915. He went to France and suffered accidental burns to his face and hands when extinguishing a fire, but survived and was demobilised in February 1918.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com
