David embodied in the R.A.M.C. (T.F.), 3/2nd Highland Field Ambulance on 11th June 1915. He was 25 years and 150 days old, a policeman by trade, and was living at 67 Ferry Street, Montrose, Forfarshire at the time. He was admitted into hospital on 27th April 1916 suffering with influenza and tonsillitis, then returned to his unit for duty on 13th May. He embarked at Folkestone on the 8th August 1916, then disembarking the same day at Boulogne he joined the 51st General Base Depot in Etaples as a reinforcement. He was posted to serve with the 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance on 22nd August 1916. He was admitted into hospital again on 3rd February 1917, then rejoined his unit on 18th March. He was killed, along with 303238 Pte Harry Cameron Badenoch, 303025 Pte Charles Milne, 303351 and Pte William Davidson Milne when a shell landed on The Willows Collecting Post in front of Essex Farm. David was the son of James and Mary Oliphant of "Caerlee" Innerleithen, Peeblesshire.