Robert Don Oliver DSC, RN

Born  17 Mar 1895Linton, Scotland
Died  6 Oct 1980(85)Kelso, Scotland

Ranks

15 Oct 1916Lt.
15 Apr 1924Lt.Cdr.
31 Dec 1929Cdr.
31 Dec 1935Capt.
2 Jan 1945Rear-Admiral
26 Sep 1948Vice-Admiral (retired)

Decorations

10 Apr 1918DSC
11 Jun 1942CBE
1 Jan 1948CB

Warship Commands listed for Robert Don Oliver, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Devonshire (39)Capt.Heavy cruiser23 Oct 19401 Nov 1942
HMS Swiftsure (08)Capt.Light cruiser2 Jun 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.

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
On the way home after 622 days of patrol, the German raider Atlantis (Capt. Bernard Rogge) met the German submarine 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 04º12'S, 18º42'W. As U-126 submerged, Dorsetshire made off at high speed, leaving it to the German submarine to pick up the survivors.

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.

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