Hi Jane, I am a Finstock Oliver, but born and bred in Combe. Now living in Colchester, Essex,
The Michael Oliver you refer to has been accounted for. He was born in 1935 and was the son of Allan Thomas Oliver of Combe. Shane has a piece about the wooden bench in Combe Churchyard dedicated to Allan. If you ever read Dorothy Calcutt`s book - A ****tail of Village life - you will find some more photos of Combe Cricket Club with quite a few Olivers. All the same family.
Nice to know someone else is taking an interest in the Olivers. I thought I was a true Finstock Oliver until Shane got on the case, now I find I am very much of the Stonesfield Clan.
Here are a couple more Oliver sightings, quite recently this time (1972):
(i) a photo of the Combe Cricket Club first XI includes an M. Oliver and (ii) a photo of the North Leigh football team includes a G. Oliver.
Both photos are in the 'Witney Gazette' of 6 April 1972. I didn't get as far as reading the sports pages to find out what these teams' achievements were ... but guess both were victorious in some way or another!
So it looks as if those cricket and football skills run in the family.
