Service Highlights

• Son of Hugh Oliver of Avonbank, Ontario.
• One of four Oliver brothers who served during the Second World War.
• Enlisted in June 1940.
• Trained at Camp Borden, Ontario.
• Suffered a knee injury while training in November 1940.
• Discharged in January 1941.
• Continued serving locally as a Sergeant with D Company, The Perth Regiment.
• Worked at Richardson’s Foundry following his discharge from active service.
• Honoured through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

Grant Oliver was another of Hugh Oliver’s four sons to enter military service during the Second World War. He enlisted in June 1940 and was sent to Camp Borden for training.

His active service was cut short only a few months later. In November 1940, Grant injured his knee during training. The injury was serious enough that he was discharged the following January.

That did not end his involvement with the military.

After returning home and taking employment at Richardson’s Foundry, Grant continued serving with the local reserve force. The wartime newspaper identifies him as a Sergeant in D Company of The Perth Regiment, and another surviving newspaper photograph shows him among the D Company men preparing to leave for camp.

His story is different from those of brothers who went overseas, John was in Italy, Hugh was in England, Bruce was training with the RCAF, but hew was no less a part of the Oliver family’s wartime experience. An injury changed the course of Grant’s service, yet he continued contributing through the local regiment and remained part of the military community at home. At this time, we have not located a public service summary for Grant Oliver that confirms unit, service number, or specific dates of service. yet he is commemorated by family through the St. Marys Legion banner program.

Major Battles and Operations

• Military training at Camp Borden, 1940
• D Company, The Perth Regiment reserve service

Learn More

The Perth Regiment, official Canadian Army lineage and history
The Perth Regiment

The Perth Regiment Veterans Association: The Fighting Perths
The Fighting Perths

St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program
Veterans Banner list

Primary local sources: Wartime Newspaper clippings, Four Oliver Brothers in Armed Services and D Company Boys Are Off to Camp!