Personal Details
Born: 1 March 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 11 April the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.
Family: He was the second of five surviving children born to Stephen Oliver, an iron foundry clerk, and his wife Martha. He married Florence M Davies in 1922 in Whitchurch and together they had one child, Brian David.
Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family were living at 26 Dodington, Whitchurch; by 1901 they had moved to 89 Talbot Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 he lived at 14 Oddfellows Cottages, West End and this address is shown for 1923 on his medal card. In 1939 he lived at 19 High Street, Nantwich, Cheshire.
Employment: In 1911 he was a shop assistant; in 1939 he was manager of a boot store.
Died: In 1950 in Crewe, Cheshire, aged 56.
Military Details
Regiment: Indian Army (previously King’s Royal Rifle Corps)
Rank: Lieutenant (commissioned from Corporal in the KRRC 8 October 1918)
Service Number: C458 prior to his commission
Date of Enlistment: Prior to 16 November 1915
Date of Discharge: After 8 October 1918
Reason for Discharge: Not known
George was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal).
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.