Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Company Quarter Master Sergeant P. Olliver, 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (15232 C.Q.M. Sjt. P. Olliver. 2/Otago R.) very fine £500-£600

M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For continuous good work and devotion to duty. During the operations in October and November of 1918, despite the fact that long advances were made and that rations had to be brought along unknown roads continually under shell fire, this NCO, by his devotion to duty and untiring energy, succeeded in delivering the rations for his Company with unfailing regularity. On every occasion when the Company was relieved, he met it close behind the lines with hot tea and food for the tired men. His work called from everyone the highest praise.’

P. Olliver was born in Lyttelton, New Zealand in 1885, and attested for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at Trentham, New Zealand in April 1916. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment in the French theatre of war from October 1916. Olliver was discharged in New Zealand in August 1919, and died in March 1964.