Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Bishop an Insurance Agent, born 1865 in Swannington, Leics., and his wife Laura a Grocer (Shop Keeper), born 1869 in Redditch, Worcs. Oliver was born in 1896 in Swannington, Leics., his siblings were Arthur Thomas, born 1891 and William Harold, born 1892, the latter two siblings were both born in Kidderminster, Worcs., George, born 1893 in Swannington, Leics., and Barbara Annie, born 1901 in Thringstone, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Coleorton Olga Terrace, Thringstone, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Whitwick, St. George. In April 1911 Oliver was employed as a Colliery Pony Driver and was residing in the family home at North Street, Whitwick, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Arthur, William, George, Barbara and Fanny Elizabeth, born 1904 in Peggs Green, Leics. The War Diary for the 19th April 1917 records. At 07.00am The Battalion was formed up behind MANSURA RIDGE ready to attack BEERSHEBA ROAD. “C” Company on right, “D” Company in centre, “B” Company on left, “A” Company in support. At 7.30am First line went forward and was followed at two minute intervals by succeeding lines. The Battalion moved to start with in artillery formation of lines of sections through heavy barrage of gun fire and opened into extended order about 600 yards from Ridge as soon as it became under machine gun and rifle fire when the majority of the casualties occurred. At about 9.00am a thin front line reached to a distance varying at different parts of the line from 500 yards to 120 yards from the Turk trenches when it became certain that no further advance could be made without very strong reinforcements. The Battalion was subject to very heavy gun fire both shrapnel and high explosive throughout the day from direction of ALI EL MUNTAR. As this fire was enfilade, it followed the Battalion right up to 200 yards of Turk trenches. During the morning, owing to failure of adjoining Division to link up, the 10th LONDON REGT adjusted their line which left our left flank in the air. About noon a small counter attack was preparing on left flank of Battalion. This was disposed of with Maxim and Lewis gun fire. The Battalion received orders to hold the position at all costs and the position was maintained until a fresh line was taken up at dusk by 1st/5th BEDFORDSHIRE REGT when it was withdrawn through that Regiment. The Battalion lost in casualties 20 officers and 366 other ranks. The majority of these occurring before 9.00am.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 25th, 1918.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Previously reported missing, Pte. Oliver Bishop, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Bishop, of 57, North Street, Whitwick, is now reported to have been killed in action on April 19th, 1917, when he was with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. It is stated that his body has been found and buried. He was 21 years of age. Mr and Mrs Bishop have two other sons in the army, one in Egypt and the other in hospital in England, suffering from wounds and shell shock received in France. These casualties bring Whitwick’s war death roll to 43.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 1st, 1918.

ANOTHER WHITWICK MILITARY MEDALLIST

Mr J. Bishop, greengrocer, of North Street, Whitwick, has received a letter from his son, Pte. Bishop, serving with the Forces in Palestine, in which he states that he has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action. Another son of Mr Bishop, Private Oliver Bishop, was recently killed in action.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for two Whitwick soldiers, Private O. Bishop and Parsons, who have been killed in action, was held in the Parish Church on Sunday morning, conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. T. W. Walters, and there was a large congregation. Mr R. G. West (organist) played the Dead March at the close, and Boy Scout buglers sounded the “Last Post”. Peals were rung with the bells muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby. 6/1/2018