Eric Olivier

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Eric Olivier
Personal information
Born (1888-11-24)24 November 1888
Oudtshoorn, Cape Province, South Africa
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Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium
Domestic team information
Years Team
1913 and 1922 South Western Districts
1911 Hampshire
1908–1909 Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 22
Runs scored 302
Batting average 11.18
100s/50s –/–
Top score 43
Balls bowled 3,893
Wickets 90
Bowling average 22.62
5 wickets in innings 8
10 wickets in match 4
Best bowling 8/51
Catches/stumpings 9/–
Source: Cricinfo, 26 December 2009

Eric Olivier (24 November 1888 – 1 June 1925) was a South African cricketer who played in first-class cricket in England prior to the First World War. He was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm fast-medium.[1] During the war he served in the British Army's Royal Flying Corps and became a flying ace credited with eight victories.[2]

Background and education

Olivier was born in Oudtshoorn, then in the British South African Cape Colony, and was educated at Repton School, Derbyshire[3] and Cambridge University.

Sporting career

Olivier represented Repton in matches against Uppingham and Malvern in 1906,[4] before making his first-class début for Cambridge University in 1908 against Yorkshire. From 1908 to 1909 Olivier represented the University in fifteen first-class matches. With his fast-medium bowling Olivier took 83 wickets at an average of 20.20, with best bowling figures of 8-51 coming in 1908 against a G.J.V. Weigall's XI. Olivier's final first-class match for the University came against Oxford University in July 1909. During his time playing for the University, Olivier was their best strike bowler.

During his time at Cambridge Olivier also played association football for Cambridge University A.F.C.

Olivier joined Hampshire for the 1911 County Championship, making his début against Leicestershire. Olivier represented the county in seven first-class matches during the 1911 season, the last of which came against Sussex at the United Services Recreation Ground in Portsmouth. Olivier's time with the club was not as successful as his spell with Cambridge University. In his seven first-class matches he took 7 wickets at an average of 51.28, with best figures of 4-30.

Upon returning to South Africa Olivier represented South Western Districts in two non first-class matches in 1913 against the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Military service

Eric Olivier
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Union Defence Force
British Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1914–1919
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 19 Squadron RFC
Battles/wars World War I
 • South-West Africa Campaign
 • Western Front

In the First World War Olivier first served as a trooper in the Union Defence Force during the South-West Africa Campaign.

On 17 March 1917 he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on the General List to serve in the British Army's Royal Flying Corps.[5] He was appointed a flying officer on 8 May,[6] and was confirmed in his rank on 16 July.[7] Olivier was posted to No. 19 Squadron to fly the SPAD S.VII single seater fighter aircraft. He gained his first aerial victory on 26 October 1917 by driving down out of control a German Type C reconnaissance aircraft south-west of Geluwe, and on 31 October he drove down an Albatros D.V over Geluwe. On 15 November he and Major Albert D. Carter shared in the destruction of another Type C over Zandvoorde. Three days later, on 18 November, Olivier, Carter and Lieutenant A. Reid-Walker, drove down a Type C over Passchendaele. He gained his fifth victory, and "ace" status, on 6 December, when he, Captain Oliver Bryson and Lieutenants Arthur Fairclough and R. G. Holt, drove down another Type C east of Roeselare. His last victory in the SPAD came on 22 December, by sharing in the shooting down in flames of an Albatros D.V south of Le Quesnoy with Major Carter, Captains Bryson and G. W. Taylor, Lieutenant Fairclough, and Second Lieutenants E. J. Blyth and H. E. Galer. By January 1918 No. 19 Squadron had been re-equipped with the Sopwith Dolphin. On 17 March, flying this new aircraft, Olivier and Fairclough shot down in flames an Albatros D.V north-east of Menen, and shortly after Olivier accounted for a Pfalz D.III over Roeselare.[2] Lieutenant Olivier was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 28 December 1918.[8]

Post-war career

After the war Olivier represented South Western Districts for a final time in 1922 against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club.

Olivier died in Cape Town, South Africa, on 1 June 1925.

References

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  5. The London Gazette: no. 30012. p. 3411. 10 April 1917.
  6. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30103. pp. 5331–5332. 29 May 1917.
  7. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30185. p. 7105. 13 July 1917.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 31788. p. 2073. 20 February 1920.

External links