Ernest Oliver was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Oliver. Ernest was born on 6th April 1889 in Beragh, County Tyrone. Both his parents worked in the local National School. Ernest Oliver emigrated to Canada. Before enlisting, Ernest worked as a clerk. Ernest Oliver enlisted in Saskatoon, Canada on the 12th July 1915. Corporal Ernest Oliver was serving with the 16th Battalion of the Manitoba Regiment of the Canadian Infantry when he died on 13th June 1916 at Tyillebeke, Near Ypres. He was 26 years old. It seems unlikely Ernest Oliver actually lived in Coalisland as the family were still living in Beragh when he enlisted in Canada.
Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). Each night at 8 pm the traffic is stopped at the Menin Gate while members of the local Fire Brigade sound the Last Post in the roadway under the Memorial's arches.
