Edmund Horace Oliver

A Private with 7th Bn. Edmund died on 19th of August 1916 at the age of 20.

Edmund was born at Brightlingsea, Essex, in 1896, a son of Edmund and Edith Oliver. he was baptised at All Saints' Church, Brightlingsea, on 19 September 1896. In 1901 his family lived at 36 Upper Park Road, Brightlingsea. By 1911 they were living at 6 Gilpin Terrace, Rock Estate, Oulton Broad, and Edmund was a boat builder's apprentice. Later his family lived at 1 Broad View, 30 Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft.

Edmund enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in early September 1914. He was on one of a number of Lowestoft men who had volunteered to join the Army and who enlisted into 7th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The 7th Battalion was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division and was based in the Colchester area during the first few months of its formation. Edmund went to France with the 7th Battalion, arriving there on 28 July 1915.

On 19 August 1916 the 7th Battalion were in the vicinity of Bois Grenier. The Battalion was diary reads:

About 3.15 p.m. our guns opened rapid firing on enemy's front and support lines. Enemy replied with about 12 "pineapples" and 1 heavy mortar afterwards shelling was from WHITE CITY to salient. About three shells fell on 50 support trench.
About 5.40 p.m. 1 heavy mortar bomb and about 30 "pineapples" fell on right company's front. Not much damage done. 2 Lieutenant Lebon was slightly wounded in shoulder.
Otherwise quiet day and very quiet night. Wet off and on all day. Fresh west wind.

We do not know exactly what happened to Edmund, but we know that he was killed in action on 19 August along with two other men of the Battalion.