OLLIVER, SPENCER ALWYNNE,
Lieutenant, was born in May 1859, at Kingston Manor, near Worthing, son of
George Olliver, DL, of Kingston Manor, Sussex, and Fanny, daughter of John
King, of Southampton. He was educated for the Navy at a preparatory school,
and after that at the Naval School, Portsmouth; passed into the Britannia,
and joined the Royal Navy in 1872, retiring as Lieutenant in 1882. He
served in South Africa, 1900 and 1901, with the West Australian Mounted
Rifles; resigned his commission in 1901, and joined Baden-Powell's South
African Constabulary as Captain (commission dated 3 March 1900). For his
services in the South African War he received the two Medals and seven
clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
[London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "S A Olliver, Lieutenant, West Australian
Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". The Insignia were presented by HRH the Duke of Cornwall and York
on his visit to Natal 14 August 1901. Captain Olliver died at Pretoria on
28 April 1902, and an obituary notice describes the action for which he had
been awarded the DSO: Spencer Alwynne Olliver, DSO, South African
Constabulary, who died on 28 April, at Pretoria, of enteric, as has been
announced, was the youngest son of George Olliver, DL, of Kingston
(Sussex). He was born in 1859, entered the Royal Navy, 1872, and retired as
Lieutenant in 1882. Shortly after the outbreak of the war he joined the
West Australian Mounted Rifles, in which he did gallant service; was
mentioned in Despatches, and received the DSO. He was afterwards
transferred to the SAC, in which he was serving at the time of his death,
which occurred after he was pronounced out of danger and shortly expected
home. The last fight with which Captain Olliver was prominently connected
was described by Reuter's correspondent as a smart engagement, which took
place on 6 February, between a force of West Australians, Dragoon Guards and
Cape Police, and Kruitsinger's Commando, in Cape Colony, about 15 miles from
Klipplaat. The British force, numbering only 27 men all told, was under the
command of Captain Olliver, and was carrying Despatches. On drawing close
to Featherstonehaugh's Farm, they sighted a small body of Boers. To the
rear of the Boers was a fairly high kopje, and on this they fell back. Hot
firing ensued, and the Boers, after being reinforced, executed a wide
detour, and surrounded Captain Olliver's little band. Just before sunset a
body of Boers, estimated at 5O0, opened a terrific fire upon the two kopjes
held by the British, and about 200 of their horsemen were seen to be
charging the British position. Not one of the gallant band so heavily
outnumbered thought of surrendering, but eventually they were all
overpowered and captured. The Boers admitted five killed, one of whom was
shot by Captain Olliver at five yards distance. After being marched three
miles under escort, and stripped of their arms and ammunition, the prisoners
were released. The death of the gallant captain, at the end of the war, and
after much laborious and distinguished service, is naturally a great blow to
his relatives and friends". An obelisk was erected, inscribed as follows:
"In memory of Sergt. John Jacobs, age 30 years, Private Samuel Chance, age
22 years, Private James Peck, age 22 years, 7th Dragoon Guards, who with 28
others under Captain Olliver for seven hours kept at bay a force of over 400
of the King's enemies, and thus nobly died at Featherstonehaugh 6 February
1901. This stone was erected by the residents of Klipplaat and vicinity".
Captain Olliver had married Sophy, daughter of Henry Duncan.
See his
casualty entry.
