Harrie was born at Rochester, VIC in 1897 to Albert Thompson Oliver and Mary Stacey. Harrie had a brother, Edward, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

Harrie was a clerk and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 23^rd Battalion, A Company on the 19^th of April 1915, his parents permission having been given - he gave his age as 18½⁽⁴⁾. He was currently serving in the Senior Cadets. He embarked aboard the HMAT A14 Euripides in May and disembarked in Egypt some time later.

In September, Harrie landed at Gallipoli. In November he was admitted to the 6^th Field Ambulance suffering from influenza. He was then invalided to Malta in early December. When he arrived back in Egypt in February 1916 he was admitted to the 1^st Auxiliary Hospital, Cairo with Maleria. Harrie embarked from Suez, Egypt aboard the Runic for a three months change - cardiac disease - returning to Australia in May and discharged from the AIF in August.

Harrie tried to re-enlist but was considered fit only for Home Service. He was an Acting Corporal at HQ Company, Royal Park until March 1917 when he was made a Corporal and transferred to Ascot Vale Camp then McLeod and finally HQ Company, Broardmedows until he re-enlisted⁽²⁾ in the AIF, 5^th Section, Australian Railway Operating Division⁽³⁾ on the 9^th of May 1917 and embarked aboard the HMAT A11 Ascanius two days later.

Upon disembarking at Devonport, England in July 1917 he reported to the 16^th Australian Railway Operating Company⁽³⁾ and proceeded to France in September where he was made an acting Second Corporal. At the end of December Harrie was detached to the Army School Cookery for two weeks. In February 1918 he reverted to the rank of Sapper and was with the 2^nd Australian Railway Operating Company. In late April Harrie spent a month in hospital, France, suffering from influenza before rejoining his unit in the field in June. He was granted two weeks leave in England in September before returning to England in February 1919 and embarking for home aboard the Sardinia in April, returning to Australia in June and was discharged from the AIF in March 1920.

Harrie was a storeman at the munitions factory, Maribynong, VIC when he enlisted at Moonee Ponds, VIC in the Australian Army in June 1942 - he was being treated for neurasthenia at the time; possibly as a result of his previous war service. He was posted to the 18^th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps until he was discharged in December.

Harrie Oliver died in October 1977, aged 79.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. He enlisted twice. These details are correct for his first enlistment
   On his second enlistment it should read:-
   2036
   Spr. H. S. Oliver
   2nd Light Railway Operating Company
2. Harrie re-enlisted with his brother, Edward - they have consecutive service number's.
3. Formed as the 5^th Section, Australian Railway Operating Division then became the 16^th Australian Railway Operating Company and finally the 2^nd Australian Railway Operating Company.
4. It would seem he was really only 17.
   - The Bacchus Marsh Express 6 May 1916