| Rank | Private, Signaler, L/Cpl. |
| Service # | 880461 |
| Unit # | 186th battalion, 18th Bn. |
| Resident | Ridgetown |
Regimental number: 880416. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7497 – 46, Item: 552206, PDF:- B7497-SO46. Date of Birth: 06/04/1886 at Rotherham, England. Present address, Ridgetown, ON, Kent Co. N of K: Mary Jane Osbourne (Wife), living in Ridgetown, ON. A painter decorator. (married) Attestation in Chatham, ON. 7/03/1917 to the 186th Bn. Promoted to L/Cpl. 16/03/17. No previous Military training. Vaccinated. Mrs. Mary Jane Osborne, P.O. Box 204 (widow) Memorial Scroll (2) Memorial Cross. (2) The Memorial Plaque 18/05/22 His mother passed away and her Memorial Cross went to Mary Jane) the Scroll went to her. 20/01/20 and 26/01/21. A “Former WILL made by O. L. Lewis – at Chatham, ON. 27/08/18 Attestation 6/03/16.
Apparent Age: 29 yrs. Height: 5’ 5”, Girth: 35”, Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown. Medical at Ridgetown 6/03/16 at Ridgetown. To the 186th Pte. was KIA 27/08/18 while in service with the with the 18th Batt. Cdn Inf.
Signaler Osborne served his apprenticeship as painter and decorator in Hull, England. Before the Boer war he enlisted as a Royal Signaler in the Prince of Wales Dragoon and was placed in the last draft for South Africa. but peace was declared before they were to leave. He then came to Canada, serving two years as a signaler in the volunteers at Kingston.
He enlisted with the 186th battalion and while training in Canada took a non-commissioned officers’ course and secured certificates for bayonet instructor and went overseas Mar. 28, 1917. Date of Service 8/12/17 to the 186th Batt. 7/03/16 to 7/04/17 – Promoted to L/Cpl. 16/03/17.
After training at Bramshott he proceeded to France Dec. 9, 1917, transferring to the 18th battalion.
He was killed in action Aug. 27, 1918.
Unit sailed 28/03/17. Embarked: from Canada sailed from Halifax 25/05/17 aboard the S.S. Lapland. Disembarked in England at Liverpool 7/04/17 – to Bramshott. 14/05/17 Reverted to Ranks 5/09/18. 10/12/17 Proceed O/S to 18th Bn. – at England – to Estaples 29/12/17 to 18th Bn., In the field 26/12/1
Pte. William Edward Osborne: 880416. Age: 32yrs.
WOR with the 18th Batt. Son of Freaerick Osborne, of Yorkshire, England. Husband of Mary Jane Osborne of 56 Broadway, ON. Buried at TIGRISLANE Cemetery – Pas de Calais, France. Grave Reference. “Killed in Action” Was hit in the body by shrapnel and killed during the attack on Vis-en-Artois.
Contributed by E. Edward. CVWM.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Commonwealth War Grave Commission, NR-MB60 (16-03-1917), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7497 – 46, LAC |
| Supplemental Information | Wife: Mrs. M. Jane Osborne, Ridgetown Children: Georgine D. , Frederick, William Albert |
| Height | 5'5" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 29 yrs. |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Brown |
| Race | white |
| Birthplace | 06/04/1886 at Rotherham, England. |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Last Place of Employment | Painter An Paperer, Ridgetown |
| Average Earnings | 4/day |
| Marital Status | married |
| When Enlisted | Mar. 6, 1916 |
| Where Enlisted | Ridgetown |
| Allowance from Patriotic Fund | 17.50/mth |
| Next of Kin | Mary Jane Osbourne (Wife), living in Ridgetown, ON. |
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