Oliphant, EH
(1873 - 1915)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
28th April 1873
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1883 - 1884
HOME ADDRESS WHEN AT THE COLLEGE:
3 Alleyn Crescent, West Dulwich
REGIMENT
96th Berar Infantry, Indian Army
FINAL RANK:
Major
DATE OF DEATH:
12th July 1915
AGE AT DEATH:
42
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Iran
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Tehran War Cemetery. II B 7
Major Edward Havelock Oliphant
Born 28th April 1873, Edward was the son of George and Mary Oliphant and the brother of William and Frank. Having left Dulwich in 1884, he went to United Services College, St Mark’s, Windsor before moving on to Sandhurst. From here, he was gazetted into the Devonshire Regiment, Indian Army. From 1893-1896, he progressed through the ranks to Lieutenant before taking part in operations on the North-West Frontier of India between 1897-1898, wherein he gained the Tirah Expedition Force Medal with clasp. In 1902 he was promoted to Captain and later to Major in 1911. It was at this point that he transferred to the 96th Berar Infantry, with whom he was still serving at the outbreak of War.
By 1915, he was serving in Bushire, Iran. With Ramadan approaching, the Tangistanis, who were Muslim, planned to attack the British before they had to fast. On 12 July a report reached Edward, who was commander of the British outposts, that enemy tribesmen had been observed three kilometres south of the outpost line. Although he did not initially believe the report, he rode out with Captain G.J.L. Ranking and 27 riflemen. Unfortunately, he and Ranking rode too far in front of their men, were surprised by the enemy and both were killed. This sacrifice notified the outposts of the imminent attack and they were able to repel it. He is buried in the Tehran War Cemetery.
