Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Stark Olive, born in the July quarter of 1859 in Cosby, Leicestershire and baptised as William Clarke Olive on the 4th August 1859 in Cosby (son of Elizabeth Olive, 1838-1924) and Eliza Olive (nee Snutch, married in the October quarter of 1893 in Leicester), born on the 15th April 1863 in Arnesby, Leicestershire (daughter of William Snutch, 1818-1895 and Ann Baker, 1819-1916). Ernest Richard was born in the April quarter of 1897 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was residing in the family home at Green Lane, Countesthorpe, together with his mother and half-blood sibling, Bertram Snutch, born in the July quarter of 1889 in Leicester and sibling Annie, born on the 10th September 1899 in Countesthorpe. Ernest’s father left the family home in 1900. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Green Lane, Countesthorpe, together with his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 20th February 1894 in Leicester, Joseph, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 23rd October 1895 in Countesthorpe and Annie, a schoolgirl.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 6th November 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2532. He gave his place of birth as Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 8 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 6th November 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 8 months, trade or occupation as hosiery, that he was 5-feet 5 inches in height, weighed 112 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V= [not recorded] L.E.-V= [not recorded]. Enlisted at Leicester on the 6th November 1914. Joined on enlistment North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.
His description on enlistment recorded his height 5-feet 5 inches weight 112 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army Reserve. Date 6/11/14. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Eliza Olive, Green Lane, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 6/11/14.
Posted to Royal Army Medical Corps. Pte. 6/11/14.
Embodied service commenced. 6/11/14.
Posted. To 2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance. Royal Army Medical Corps. Pte. Date not known.
Admitted. To Hospital. Date not known.
Discharged. From Hospital. Date not known.
Admitted. To Hospital. 16/10/16.
Discharged. From Hospital. 26/10/16.
Admitted. To Hospital. Date not known.
Discharged. From Hospital. 8/11/16.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, Ernest was allotted the regimental service number 419300.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 23/2/17.
Disembarked. France. 24/2/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 26/9/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 6/11/14 – 23/2/17. 2 years 110 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 24/2/17 – 26/9/17. 215 days.
Total Service. 2 years 325 days
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-17 – HILLHOEK. V Corps Rest Station. L.20.b.6.4 Sheet 27. The attack by 5th and 2nd Armies was resumed this morning, the 59th Division taking all their objectives successfully and holding them. Casualties slight enough for treatment here began to arrive about 9.00am chiefly slightly gassed (mustard gas) shell contusions and slight shell shock cases. In all 246 were admitted today. Casualties in this unit today were Private’s HARVEY, WHITE and SMART killed, and several others wounded and gassed. Captain FORBES and the tenth subdivision of the 1st SOUTH AFRICAN FIELD AMBULANCE were withdrawn this evening, by order of H. Division. 9th Division D.D.M.S. V Corps visited me and said that the whole of the personnel of the 9th Division attached would have to leave tomorrow.
The War Diary records: 27 Sep-17 - HILLHOEK. V Corps Rest Station. L.20.b.6.4 Sheet 27. A very busy day again, 172 fresh admissions. Captain’s McGRATH and CRUICKSHANKS of the tenth subdivision of the 28th FIELD AMBULANCE were withdrawn this morning by order of DMS 9th Division. I retained the two Medical Officers until tomorrow, as I had no other Medical Officer to carry on with. Several German counter-attacks today, but the Divisional front was all held. Several more casualties among our bearers reported today, including Private’s JUBA, HOWLETT and OLIVE killed. German aeroplanes bombed the back area near the Rest Station during the evening – two or three bombs fell fairly near.
On the 16th April 1918, Ernest’s mother, Eliza, of Green Lane, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of six shillings, commensurate on the 16th April 1918, and payable for life.
On Tuesday September 26th, 1922, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – OLIVE. - In loving memory of Pte. Ernest Olive, R.A.M.C., who was killed in France, Sept. 26, 1917. - Ever remembered by Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
[recognitum VII-III-MMXXIII]