Edward was born at Rochester, VIC in 1894 to Albert Thompson Oliver and Mary Stacey. Edward had a brother, Harrie, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

Edward was in the Royal Australian Navy from August 1914 till November 1916 - HMAS Encounter - as such he would have been involved in Operations against German Pacific territories.

Edward was a clerk and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted⁽³⁾ in the AIF, 5^th Section, Australian Railway Operating Division⁽⁴⁾ on the 9^th of May 1917, aged 23. He embarked aboard the HMAT A11 Ascanius two days later, disembarking at Devonport, England in July and marched in to the 16^th Australian Railway Operating Company⁽⁴⁾.

In September1917 Edward proceeded overseas to France but in October was admitted to a Field Ambulance, suffering from cellulitis and later admitted to hospital before rejoining his unit in late October. In May 1918 he was admitted to hospital in France and a month later invalided back to England and admitted to Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatam - trench fever. Edward was discharged to two weeks furlough in July before he marched in to No.2 Command Depot - from 2^nd Australian Light Railway Operating Company. Edward married Mirium Hyman at the end of October and transferred to the Australian Army Ordnance Corps a month later. He was promoted to Temporary Corporal in March 1919 and then to Temporary Sergeant before being promoted to Sergeant in September. Edward embarked for home in November aboard to Orsova, returning to Australia in January 1920 and was discharged from the AIF in February.

Edward returned to England at some point and joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Army No. 7580846 - in June 1921. The last we know of him, he applied for a license to act as a conductor of stage carriages in 1923.

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

Notes

1. He was originally a Sapper but was promoted to Sergeant.
2. Shortly after peace was declared he transferred to the Australian Army Ordnance Corps.
3. Edward enlisted with his brother, Harrie - they have consecutive service numbers.
4. 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.