OLVER, John Frederick
| Service Numbers: | V51677, O34749 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 15 Field Regiment AMF |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia , 9 October 1920 |
| Home Town: | Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2001, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Privately Cremated Ashes scattered at sea off Frankston, Victoria |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, V51677, 15 Field Regiment AMF | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, O34749 | |
| 12 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, O34749 | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, V51677, 15 Field Regiment AMF |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Rebecca Knol
John (Jack) Frederick Olver was the only child of Frederick Olver and Florence Olive Muriel Cavandish.
John joined the Army at 18yrs (Army # 451927) and later moved to the RAAF as a Flying Officer (spitfire pilot) with the 453 Squadron in World War II (Service number 034749). The squadron became operational less than three weeks before the Japanese attack on Malaya and strove to support ground troops by providing air cover and attacking Japanese troops and transport. They suffered high loses against superior forces. The squadron was disbanded in March 1942 and re-formed in June 1942. Operations began in July and mainly consisted of convoy patrols. By March 1943 it was re-equipped with Spitfires and began to build up victories. In June 1943 it added anti-shipping strikes to its duties and then moved to Scotland for defensive duties. From November 1944 to March 1945 the 453 Squadron was heavily engaged in striking at assembly and launch sites used by the Germans in their V-2 rocket attacks against Britain.
On 2nd May 1945, the squadron escorted the aircraft that returned Queen Wilhelmina to The Netherlands after three years in exile. This was 453 squadrons last mission of the war.
John returned to Australia with a Scottish wife (Jean Goldie Morrison) and two small sons (Keith & Daryl). They had a further two children (Kimberley & Guy) in Australia.
They lived at Frankston and then moved to Red Hill, and eventually to Gillaroy.
John worked with Rolls Royce as a test pilot, enjoying lots of overseas travel. He also sailed with Royal Brighton Yacht Club.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday 2 July 1951 that “Two occupants of a Royal Aero Club Tiger Moth plane were injured when it crashed into high tension wires at the outer bayside suburb of Edithvale today. They are – John Frederick Olver, of Black Rock, admitted to Alfred Hospital with a fractured leg. Daryl McKenzie, of Mordialloc, taken to the same hospital, treated for abrasions and shock and allowed to leave.”
John lived with cancer of the larynx for 25 years and died in 2001.