He was born 8th December 1893. He had various addresses. In 1901, 9 Village Terrace, by 1911 he had moved to 2 Charlcote Crescent, East Boldon.

By the time Oliver Sydney Phinn joined Westoe Secondary School in August, 1908, his father had died and his mother, Mary Isabel Phinn, was working as a dressmaker. When Oliver left the school, only 8 months later, he went to become a draughtsman with J Redhead shipyard.

For the war, he joined the 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and was killed while serving in Mesopotamia on 17th July 1916.

The following is a very brief History of his Battalion during the War.

1st Battalion, 4th August 1914. Stationed at Ambala, India as part of the Sirhind Brigade of the 3rd (Lahore) Division.Sept 1914. Mobilised for war and moved to Egypt to embark for France.1st December 1914. Landed at Marseilles and engaged in various actions on the Western front including; In 1914; Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres. In 1915; Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915.

Dec 1915. Moved to Mesopotamia to capture Bagdad and defend British interests in the region against the Turks, the Division engaged in various actions including;The Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab and the Battle of Sharqat. Jan 1917. Left the 3rd (Lahore) Division and moved to defend Tigris. Sept 1917. Transferred to the 51st Brigade of the 17th Division. 31st October 1918. Ended the war in Mesopotamia, Huwaish on Tigris north of Sharqat.

He is remembered at Harton on H104.03, at South Shields on S86.019 and S86.046

South Shields Grammar School
The CWGC entry for Lance Corporal Phinn