Name
Frederick T Oliver
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
85547
Labour Corps
685th (Home Service) Labour Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Pre War
Frederick Oliver was born in 1880 at Berkhamsted. He was one of six children (two sons and four daughters) born to Frederick (senior) and Ann Oliver.
At the time of the 1881 Census the family lived at Upper Kitsbury Road, Berkhamsted and Frederick (senior) was employed as a Railway Signalman. By the time of the 1891 Census the family had moved to Railway Terrace, Abbots Langley. Frederick (senior) continued to work as a Railway Signalman and in the 1901 Census Frederick (junior) was recorded in employment at a Factory as a Letter Machinist (presumably John Dickinson’s). The family continued to live at Railway Terrace, and in the 1911 Census Frederick (junior) was listed still employed at a Paper Factory, where he worked as a Cutterman.
Wartime Service
Frederick (junior) attested on 1 December 1915, and gave his address at 4 Railway Terrace, and his occupation as Guillotine Machinist. He was posted to the Army Reserve on 2 December and not mobilised until 27 March 1916. Two days later he was temporarily posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment.
Frederick was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in September 1916, although his unit was not recorded. His Service Record noted that he was posted to 2nd Battalion on 21 October 1916. He served with this battalion for only three weeks, before being transferred to a Works Company on 11th November 1916. On 16 March 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Company of the 3rd Bedfordshire’s.
On 1 August 1917 Frederick was admitted to the Connaught Hospital at Aldershot suffering from diphtheria. He remained in hospital until 20 September, but did not return to duties until 15 December 1917 as he was still suffering the effects of diphtheria. On 15th September Frederick was transferred to the 366th Reserve Employment Company, and on 28 January 1918 was posted to 368th Labour Company.
Frederick was listed in the Absent Voter Records in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving with the Labour Corps, and providing an address at Railway Terrace, Abbots Langley.
On 4 March he transferred to the 371st Labour Company based at West Ham, and on 7 December 1918 joined the 685th Home Service Employment Company.
Frederick undertook a Medical Examination in preparation for Dispersal at 188 City Road, London, and was classified B2 category. On 21 January 1919 he proceeded to Dispersal at Peckham, London, and was demobilised on 19 February 1919.
Additional Information
Formerly 2nd & 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment; 368th & 371st (Home Service) Labour Company, Labour Corps.
Frederick Oliver survived the War, however his brother James was killed in action on the Somme on 15 July 1916.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
