Oliver Pettit was born 12 October 1880 (as Oliver Pettitt registered in the December quarter of 1880 in the Thingoe registration district), and baptised 21 November 1880 at Hargrave, a son of John Pettit labourer and Eliza formerly Birch.
In the 1881 and 1891 censuses he was living at home aged 5 months and 10 years respectively.
In the 1901 census, at 26 Elmcroft Street, Clapton, he was living with his sister Jessy’s family, aged 19, a mason’s labourer, born Hargrave.
Oliver enlisted in the Royal Artillery Regiment, 3 September 1902 and he attested in London. He was aged 22 years and 11 months. (this supports the birth day of 12 October but not the year). His weight was 146 lb and his physical development was good and he had no smallpox scars. He had 4 vaccination marks from infancy and a scar on his right thigh. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and was a labourer. On 17 September 1915 Oliver was discharged at Fort Rowner, Gosport. He was no. 12282, gunner, Royal Regiment of Artillery (no.2.depot Royal Garrison Artillery). He was aged 36 and 5’ 7˝” tall. He had an expanded chest of 38” and an expansion range of 2˝”. His intended place of residence was Arden, Manitoba, Canada. He was discharged on the termination of his 1st period of engagement. He had an exemplary military character and was employed as a battery cook. He was thoroughly trustworthy, sober and reliable and hard working. He had two badges for good conduct, awarded 3 September 1904 and 3 September 1907. His service was home 3 September 1902-26 November 1903, India 27 November 1903-12 January 1905, Gibraltar 13 January 1905-20 December 1909, home 21 December 1909-15 February 1915, British Expeditionary Force in France 16 February 1915-29 August 1915, home 30 August 1915-17 September 1915. He had completed 13 years and 15 days service. He was in hospital 11 July 1904-24 July 1904 suffering with D A H (?) and was prescribed rest, dieting and digitalis for 14 days. His next of kin were listed as his mother Eliza (Broad Green Farm, Chevington), his eldest brother Ernest and his older brothers Robert and Herbert (addresses all not known), and Samuel (Debden Green) and Charles (24 Belgrave Street, Stepney). The addresses seem to have been verified in 1907, ‘08 and ‘09.
In 1911, at Pratts Farm Depden, he was with his mother, single and aged 30, a labourer in gardens and born at Hargrave.
In 1913 he may have sailed for Canada on board the Ionian. He was aged 31, a labourer and sailed from London to Quebec and Montreal 17 April 1913. The next passenger on the list was Henry Challis, aged 37 and a labourer. Although Oliver and Henry’s ages are both a year or two out they look like the brothers of Ernest Albert Pettit and Annie Challis who married in 1889.
According to the family, he married Annie, and had one boy and went to Canada.
In the 1916 census of Neepawa, Manitoba, an Oliver Pettit was aged 30, single and born in England, a servant in the household of John Brown. His year of immigration was 1912.
In an index to the 1921 census of Neepawa, Manitoba, an Oliver Pettett was with Annie.
Posted December 2016