Name
William Osborne
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/08/1915
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16766
Essex Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TWELVE TREE COPSE CEMETERY
Sp. Mem. C. 271.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Albury memorials
Pre War
William was born in 1877 in Farnham, the son of William Maria and Osborne. In 1881 he is living with his father and grandfather in Farnham, both of whom were agricultural labourers. In 1891 he was living with his parents in Farnham and working as an agricultural labourer.
In 1899 he married Edith Skinner, who was born in Albury. By 1901 they were living in Farnham, with son Frank, William was a horsekeeper. In 1911 they were still living in Farnham, but wife now seems to be called Elizabeth. The census now lists three children: Frederick age 3, Frank age 10 born Farnham and Rosetta Woollard age 14 born Upper Holloway, both of whom are recorded as "illegitimate ".
William's only connection with Albury seems to be that his wife (who had been born in Albury) moved there when she remarried, and appears thus in Army records. William Osborne lived all his life in Farnham, the next-door village, which is just over the border in Essex.
Wartime Service
Said to have enlisted at Saffron Walden into the Essex Regt. Killed in Gallipoli
Additional Information
After his death he was recorded as the son of William Osborne, of Farnham, Essex; husband of Mrs. W. J. Reed (formerly Osborne), of Clapgate, Albury, Ware, Herts.
His widow remarried in 1920, to Mr W J Reed
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Pat Bird
