ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018: Sharing Victoria's Stories

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LIEUTENANT JAMES DONALD OLIVER

Colac

Orvieto, World War I

Marita Bird shares the story of family member Lieutenant James Donald Oliver.

James Donald Oliver, known as Don, was born in Colac on 13 June 1891, a son of Walter James and Emily Oliver.

Lt James Donald Oliver is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetary, BelgiumHe enlisted in Melbourne on 17 August 1914, attached to the 5th Battalion. He embarked aboard HMAT Orvieto on 25 Oct 1914 to Egypt.  Whilst in Egypt, he caught a severe case of pneumonia and was sent home in February 1915, where he was discharged “medically unfit”.


 

Sadly, Don made the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodsiende Ridge, part of the infamous battle of Passchendaele.

After a long recovery, Don re-enlisted on 15 December 1915, attached to A Coy, 39th Battalion. While in training in Ballarat, Don was promoted to Corporal, and then to Sergeant, before re-embarking on 27 May 1916, aboard HMAT Ascanius to England. On 8 August 1916 Don was transferred to 10th Light Trench Mortar Battery and a month later was sent to Officers Training as, no doubt due to his position as a Supervisor within the Department of Agriculture prior to the war,  he was seen to possess good leadership skills.

On 22 November 1916, he re-joined 10 LTMB and proceeded to France and later transferred to 40th Battalion where he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. In July he was seconded back by 10LTMB and received another promotion, to Lieutenant.

Sadly, Don made the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodsiende Ridge, part of the infamous battle of Passchendaele. He was buried in Tyne Cot cemetery in Belgium.