Geoffrey Oliver

Admiral Sir Geoffrey Nigel Oliver (22 January 1898 – 26 May 1980) was a Royal Navy officer during the Second World War.

Early career The oldest son of a botanist, Professor Francis Wall Oliver, Geoffrey Oliver was educated at Durnford Preparatory School in Langton Matravers, and at Rugby School, and joined the Royal Navy in 1915 as a Special Entry Cadet at Keyham College. He was assigned as a midshipman to in 1916.

Second World War In June 1937 he was promoted to captain and the following year joined the naval staff at the Admiralty, in the Tactical Division. In May 1939, a few months before the outbreak of the Second World War, he became deputy director of the Training and Staff Duties Division.

In October 1940 he was given command of a Dido-class light cruiser, , then under construction on the Clyde. and moved to a farm he purchased near Henfield, West Sussex.