Robert Don Oliver DSC, RN
| Born | 17 Mar 1895 | Linton, Scotland | |
| Died | 6 Oct 1980 | (85) | Kelso, Scotland |
| Ranks
Retired: 26 Sep 1948 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Robert Don Oliver, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Devonshire (39) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 23 Oct 1940 | 1 Nov 1942 |
| HMS Swiftsure (08) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 22 Mar 1944 | Dec 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (39)
23 Jul 1941
HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) sailed from Scapa Flow escorting the carriers Victorious and Furious in a raid against Petsamo and Kirkenes.
5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830B/5, HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN), HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSO, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord from operation EF.
They departed Seidísfjord around 1500B/6 for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 2300B/7. (1)
2 Nov 1941
HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) was flying the flag of the Senior Officer when an entire Vichy French convoy was captured east of the Cape of Good Hope.
21 Nov 1941 (position -4.12, -18.42)
On the way home after 622 days of patrol, the German raider Atlantis (Capt. Bernard Rogge) met German U-boat U-126 to refuel her north of Ascension Island. During that operation, a lookout reported a warship that turned out to be the British heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) that arrived due to intelligence report on the rendezvous. Devonshire fired from 17000 feet, out of range from German guns. The second and third salvoes hit the German raider, her magazine exploded and Atlantis sank quickly in position 04°12'S, 18°42'W. As U-126 submerged, Dorsetshire made off at high speed, leaving it to German U-boat to pick up the survivors. (2)
Apr 1942
HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) took part in Operation "Ironclad", the British attack on Madagascar. She did not have a chance to engage since the carrier planes did all the damage.
Sources
- ADM 53/114101 + ADM 53/115156
- Personal communication
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
You can help improve officers Robert Don Oliver's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.