Oliver's Story.
The 1911 census shows Oliver, born Hulme, Manchester, living at 11 School Place with his wife Ellen, born Birkenhead, and at this time three children, Sarah 6, Mary Ellen 4, and Thomas 2, sadly it also shows that a fourth child had died, Oliver was working as a dock labourer. He enlisted soon after war was declared and after training went to France 25 September 1915.
He was killed in action 3rd July 1916 during the opening days of the Battle of the Somme.
11th battalion war diary 3 July 1916
Thiepval
On immediately visiting the companies the adjutant found that a considerable amount of casualties had occurred during entrance to the assembly positions, that the British trenches were devoid of British troops and that the guides had no instructions other than to lead the companies to some particular spot in the trenches. How much of the trench each company was to occupy was left to the imagination, no further relief of troops had in fact taken place. By about 5:30 AM the companies had more or less taken up some portion of the trenches and got in touch with one another. The trenches were exceedingly badly knocked about affording little cover from fire and in a great many places little cover from view. Steps were taken to organise the bombers and to ascertain where the dumps were to ensure a supply of bombs and SAA to the companies. At about 6:20 AM the Border Regiment on the left of the battalion (with whom touch had been made) attacked the German position but by whose order it is not known. The right flank of the Borders being enforced by the leading companies of the Cheshire Regiment immediately attacked and the assaulting waves passed over no man's land in perfect order. Word to this effect was immediately sent to the commanding officer who at once preceded to the scene of the action. The assaulting troops very soon came under a withering fire from machine guns which made the ground at about 50 yards from the first German line, absolutely impossible. Line after line of the troops were mown down. The commanding officer who went with the reserve company was unfortunately killed and Captain Hill, the adjutant on whom the command of the battalion devolved decided to get the men still living back into the trench from which they jumped off and hold it as a defensive line. The remainder of the day was spent in trench warfare and carrying up wounded and other casualties, unfortunately the list of casualties was large and included every company commander.
Ranks entered the trenches on the 3rd, 20 Officers, 657 other ranks.
The number coming out on the night of the 4th, 6 Officers 350 other ranks.
On the night of the third the battalion under orders from the brigade moved further north, around 300 yards and held another section from Staffa Street to Tyndrum Street linking up with the 8th Border Regiment.
The Birkenhead News listed Oliver as missing August 30, 1916.
The Birkenhead News. Wednesday, August 30, 1916
Three Sons with the Colours.
One Killed, One Missing and Another in Hospital
Mr and Mrs Wall of 44, Frederick Street, have received official intimation of the death of one son and that another is missing. They are Gunner Benjamin Wall of the Australian Imperial Force (killed), and Private Oliver Wall, of the Cheshire Regiment (missing)
A Famous Boxer
Gunner Wall, who when in England, resided with his mother and father in Frederick Street, he was 31 years of age and well known in boxing circles, having fought such celebrated men as Billy Lang, whom he defeated in 11 rounds in Sydney Australia, and Curly Davies. He was wounded earlier in the war. Gunner Wall had served in the R.F.A., and fought in the Boer War, in all serving about 13 years with the forces. When war broke out, he was in Australia, following up his ring career and joined the Australian Mounted Infantry. The late soldier was well known in Birkenhead, being educated at St. Anne’s School and he worked at the docks for a time.
Gunner Walls elder brother, Private Oliver Wall, of 11 School Place, who was reported missing since July 2nd, is 34 years of age, and joined Kitchener’s army on its formation in the early days of the war. He has a wife and four children. Mr and Mrs Wall have another son who was also serving but is now lying ill in hospital.
Pictured Benjamin Wall, Oliver's brother. 
Ellen received £8 War Gratuity in 1919.