The Teesdale Mercury of 24^th July, 1918 reported the news of his death:

 ‘M R AND MRS OLIVER, of Garden House, Staindrop, have received the sad news from Egypt that their second son, Robert William, died of burns on June 20th. He volunteered for active service from Armstrong's works, Newcastle, and sailed for the East on the ill-fated “Transylvania," which was torpedoed, after a desperate swim for life he was picked up by a Japanese warship. He has been over a year on the Palestine front. ‘

Robert was the son of William & Elizabeth Oliver of Garden House, Staindrop. Robert was born in Newcastle- upon-Tyne where his father was a butcher. The family came to Staindrop between 1901 & 1911, where his father was market gardener. Oliver’s Gardens, next to Garden House was obviously named after this family.

Robert joined the 905^th Mechanical Transport Company of the Royal Army Service Corps (MT) in February, 1916 & served in Egypt & Palestine. The Royal Army Service Corps were the unsung heroes of the war responsible for maintaining essential supplies to the frontline troops. Robert died in Egypt from burns on 20^th June, 1918 aged 29 & is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

This death does not seem to be recorded by CWGC.