First World War in Headington & Marston
Roll of Honour of All Saints’ Church, Highfield

Albert Edward OLIVER (1887–1917)

Albert Edward Oliver was born in Oxford in 1887, the son of Edward Oliver (born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1864, registered third quarter) and Mary Ann Day (born in Childrey, Berkshire in 1864/5).

His parents were married in the Headington Registration District in the second quarter of 1886, and Albert was their only child:

• Albert Edward Oliver (born in Oxford in 1887, registered third quarter).

Albert’s father was a boatman. At the time of the 1891 census the family were living at 31 Thames Street, Oxford, and Albert was a child of three.

By 1901 when Albert was thirteen, his father was a boatman on a barge, and the family spent census night at Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.

By 1911 the family was living at 2 Jubilee Terrace, Grandpont, Oxford and Albert (23) was working as a boat-builder.

By 1915 Albert had volunteered to serve with the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

♥ On 5 June 1915 Albert Oliver married Martha Lammas (born in St Ebbe’s in 1887) in All Saints’ Church (entry from parish register below):

Martha had been living with her parents at 57 St Aldate’s at the time of the 1911 census, when her father was a general labourer; but he must have retired soon afterwards (which made him a “gentleman”, according to the above register) and moved with his wife up to 17 New High Street in All Saints’ parish. Albert’s address at the time of his marriage is given as Great Waltham, Essex, where the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were then stationed.

It is likely that following their marriage in 1915 Martha remained in her parents’ house while Albert was away. They had one child:

• Stanley Albert Oliver (born in New High Street and baptised at All Saints’ Church on 21 September 1916).

Albert is described as a boatbuilder at the time of the baptism, so possibly he left the army after his marriage; but he would have been conscripted back in the following year.

In the First World War Albert Edward Oliver served as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 32709). He was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917 at the age of 29.

He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Arras Memorial and the Roll of Honour of All Saints’ Church, Highfield.

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Postscript

Albert’s widow

• Mrs Martha Oliver continued to live with her parents at 17 New High Street, and remained there after their deaths until at least 1976.

Albert’s son

• Stanley Albert Oliver (born 1916) married Doris N. Webster (born in 1915, registered Headington District last quarter) in the Ploughley Registration District in the first quarter of 1944.

Albert’s father

• Edward Oliver died at the age of 61 in the second quarter of 1924 in the Oxford Registration District.

Albert’s parents-in-law

• William Lammas remained at 17 New High Street with his wife, and died there at the age of 82. He was buried in Headington Cemetery on 23 September 1926.
• Mary Lammas died at 17 New High Street at the age of 87, and was buried in Headington Cemetery on 30 March 1935.