Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Fred Hubbard, a quarry blacksmith, born 1873 in Narborough, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Hubbard (nee Jesson, married in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 17th March 1870 in Hoby, Leicestershire. Oliver Fred was born on the 22nd June 1896 in Enderby, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 12th July 1896 in the parish church, Enderby, his siblings were Benjamin Harry, born 20th October 1890, Elsie Elizabeth, born 1892, Albert Ernest, born 24th January 1894, Evelyn Annie, born 1899 and Joseph Lavin born 1901, all his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was at Mill Hill, Enderby. In April 1911 Oliver was employed as a general carter’s boy and was residing in the family home at Mill Lane, Enderby, together with his father, a quarry blacksmith, his mother and siblings, Benjamin, a blacksmiths striker, Albert, a farm labourer, Evelyn, a schoolgirl, Joseph, a schoolboy, Edith Mary, born 25th November 1906 and Florence May, born 2nd December 1908, the latter two siblings were both born in Enderby. Oliver first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. In 1939 Oliver’s widowed mother was residing in Chaucer Street, Narborough, together with his sister Edith, a boot and shoe trade worker and Lilian Jane Hubbard, a flat hosiery machinist, born 28th October 1903, Lilian appears to be a relative, with a possible connection to Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 - Attack at FONTAINES-LES-CROISILLES. Narrative attached.
Action at FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES. The 6th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was ordered to act in support to the two assaulting Battalions, 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. It was decided to support each Battalion with two Companies, “A” and “C” on the right and “B” and “D” on the left, the boundary between them as in the case of the leading Battalion being ROTTON ROW. The chief duty assigned to “B” Company on the left was to take over from the 9th Battalion, consolidate and hold the defensive flank covering north and west of FONTAINE WOOD. Battalion Headquarters were established at N.36.c.3.4. those of the 8th Battalion being in the same place. Operations on right of ROTTON ROW. A wounded man of 8th Battalion having reported that his Battalion had reached the 1st objective “A” Company advanced at 5.20am and keeping in touch with the HINDENBURG LINE reached a deep trench at T.6.b.1.2. in which were two platoons of the 8th Battalion. This Company with the two platoons of the 8th Battalion advanced soon afterwards via the HINDENBURG LINE to a trench running from T.6.d.5.8. to U.1.b.1.7. On arrival in this latter trench connection was established with “C” Company on the left and DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on right. “C” Company then worked across the open on the left of “A” and occupied the same trench with a platoon in advance at U.1.a.2.6. which was held up in shell holes by heavy machine gun fire. An attempt to bomb down BUSH TRENCH failed. The trench up to U.1.b.4.5. was consolidated and at dusk the advanced platoon fell back into it. “A” and” “C Companies held this position until relieved. Operations on the left of ROTTON ROW. The Officer Commanding “B” Company being killed and Officer Commanding “D” Company wounded it is difficult to obtain a reliable narrative of events more especially as on this flank there was considerable confusion owing to the withdrawal across the front of troops of the 18th Division. Companies were ordered to advance at 5.10am. “B” Company advanced to a position at about O.31.d.9.1. when they were held up by machine gun fire from flanks and from a trench about 200 yards in front of RIVER ROAD. They established posts at O.31.b.8.2., U.1.b.5.7 (in ROTTON ROW) U.1.b.5.5 with light gun. U.1.b.7.8. (in WOOD TRENCH) and V.1.a.9.2. These posts with the exception of the one in WOOD TRENCH were held until the Company was relieved.