Personal Details

Attribute Details
Nationality Australian
Date of Birth 03 December 1876
Place of Birth Sheffield, England
Veterinary College and Date of Graduation Glasgow University - July 1898

Military Service

Attribute Details
Last Rank Captain
Regiment/Service Australian Veterinary Corps
Secondary Regiment Australian 1st Light Horse
Secondary Unit
First Theatre of War Egypt 1914

Casualty Details

Attribute Details
Date of Death 20 August 1918
Age at Death 42
Place of Death Munster Prisoner of War Camp, Germany
Cause of Death Died of Wounds and Dysentery

Cemetery

Attribute Details
Cemetery Cologne Southern Cemetery
Location Cologne, Germany
Grave Reference XVII.B.10
Commonwealth War Grave Yes - CWGC headstone
Emblem or Badge on Headstone Australian Rising Sun

Honours and Memorials

Attribute Details
Name on RCVS Honour Board No
Name In Officers who died in Great War No
Medals and Awards

Biography

Captain Henry Oswald Oliver MRCVS was born in Sheffield, England, on 3 December 1876. He graduated from Glasgow University on 14 July 1898.

He served in South Africa during the Boer War until 1911, when he migrated to Australia.

On 20 August 1914, he enlisted in the Australian Army and served as a veterinarian with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt. In August 1915, he was deemed medically unfit to serve due to alcoholism. He was also diagnosed with delirium and heart issues.

On 28 March 1917, Henry reenlisted as a Private, joined the 35th Australian Division, and was sent to France. While fighting at Villers Villers-Bretonneux (near Amiens), the Germans captured him. According to German records, he was injured while being transported in a German ambulance.

Henry was transported to Munster Prisoner of War camp, where he died from wounds and dysentery on 20 August 1918.

Henry was buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery. His rank on his headstone is shown as Private.

Media and Documents