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Bacchus Marsh
Avenue of Honour

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Surnames beginning with [ ] - Results 281

Sapper Harrie Stacey Oliver

Service No.:
2036
Unit:
2nd Australian Light Railway Operating Company
Tree No.:
N197
Planted by:
Mrs A T Oliver (Mother)
Image of plaque on tree N197 for Harrie Oliver
See Notes (1)
Image of Service Medal - 1914-15 Star Image of Service Medal - British War Medal Image of Service Medal - Victory Medal

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, 23rd Battalion, A Company on the 19th 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 6th 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 1st 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, 5th Section, Australian Railway Operating Division(3) on the 9th 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 16th 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 2nd 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 18th 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 5th Section, Australian Railway Operating Division then became the 16th Australian Railway Operating Company and finally the 2nd Australian Railway Operating Company.
  4. It would seem he was really only 17.
    - The Bacchus Marsh Express 6 May 1916

Location of Tree Number N197

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Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68733628902742, 144.4663129899696

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Last updated by lee, Thu, 13 May 2021 15:00:19