William Henry Oliver

14/3/1878 – 1955

William Henry Oliver sitting down with his left hand on his hips and right arm on the table

Bill Oliver enlisted in the AIF in 1915 and saw active service in Europe until he was discharged as medically unfit in 1919. (He had been gassed).

He arrived on the Field in 1920, aged 42 and stayed at Coober Pedy for the rest of his life because he said, the air was good for his lungs. Before becoming the Post Master at the Underground Post office in 1940, he mined, bought, sold and cut opal and lived on Alp Street.

From 1940 to 1947, being the Post Master, he also took on the positions of town Undertaker, Librarian, Polling Officer, Census Taker, Tourist Information person, authorised person for Dingo District #7, and issuer of Motor Spirit ration tickets.

He was known for his hospitality, bread making skill and famous for his beloved cat Tiger, which he refused to sell when offered 100 guineas for it.

The ex-service men at Coober Pedy saw that he was buried with full military Honours.