The Baedeker Raid on York

Lieutenant Harry Oliver

Harry Oliver was born in 1889 in East Barnet, Greater London.
During WW1 he served with King Edward's Horse before being transferred to the Tank Corps as a Lieutenant in 1919.
In March 1942, aged 52, he moved to Bradford before being posted to York.

144246 Lt Harry Oliver served with 242 Company Pioneer Corps and was based in Cavalry Barracks off Fulford Road (now the location of the North Yorkshire Police HQ building). His Unit was tasked with working with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Engineers and Royal Army Service Corps in their respective depots.

Unfortunately, their war diaries fail to show much information only stating....."Lt H G J Oliver, L/Cpl H A Powell and Pte Dallimore - killed and 1 officers & 2 ORs wounded - air raid."



Lieutenant H J G Oliver photographed in 1919.
Image courtesy of Janette Malley and Jeff Oliver


The above information kindly provided by Norman Brown of the Royal Pioneer Corps Association



Records only indicate that the cause of death was due to "war operations". No specific information has yet been discovered but it could safely be assumed that he was killed out in the open whilst assisting the Civil Defence with their air raid duties. 



The location of the Fulford cemetery and Lt Oliver's grave.