Regimental number: 123200 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7497 – 19, Item: 552179, PDF:- B7497-SO19. Date of Birth 16/01/1877 @ Biouringham, England. Married and living at 18 Foster St. Chatham, ON. with wife Elizabeth. A cabinet maker. A veteran of the South African War. Member of Army Service Co. Attestation: 8/09/1915 at Chatham, ON. CDP 21/10/16, CDP 30/10/1916, reported that Thomas was hit in the head by shrapnel. CDP 14/12/16.

Apparent Age: 38 yrs. 4 mths. Height: 5’ 7” Girth: 38 ½ “ Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Brown. Small tattoo on left Forearm. Medical:- 8/09/15 at Chatham, ON. “Fit”. to 70^th overseas 11/09/15.

Sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Lapland 24/04/16. Arrived in England 5/05/16. 28/06/16 promoted to Sergt. TOS W. Sandling 11/07/16.  Transferred to 18^th Bn. 7/08/16 – France. Reverted to Private 7/08/16 at his request. 21/08/16 TOS. From 39^TH – Bn. – Field. 21/08/16 Reverts on arrival in France.  

KIA with 18^th Bn. 3/10/16. CDP 30/10/1916, reported that Thomas was hit in the head by shrapnel.

OSBORNE, THOMAS JAMES Initials: T J Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 18th Bn. Date of KIA; Death: 03/10/1916. Service No: 123200 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Cemetery: VIMY MEMORIAL

Photo of Thomas James and his last letter home can be found at:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/photos&casualty=1572688

Mrs. Elizabeth Osborne received the Memorial Cross and the Memorial Scroll 26/05/21 and the Memorial Plaque 17/12/21. She also receives a War Service Gratuity of $64.00. 

There is a photo of Officers and men. Thomas is 5^th  from left front row 

There is what is believed to be, the last letter of Thomas sent:

Letter from Thomas Osborne believed to be the last letter before his death. To “Bert”?

 

From Pte. T. J. Osborne #123200, 10^th Platoon, C-Corp, 19^th Canadian, 2^nd Division, FRANCE.

“Dear old chum”,

Received your welcome letter yesterday and glad to hear from you. As you will note they let me revert to go to France when they tried in all ways to stop me, so at last I am in it. Well Burt, I am with the a London 18^th Bn. one that has done good work, so I am more than content now. Sorry to say I cannot give you any news but it is …… text missing. 

Well Bert, I hear Sid is still at Bourneworth, in hospital. I can’t understand it but it But there you know how things are.  There’s a Hell of a lot more working from the old country for instance the Sergeants mess. I was in number 260 and the Brigadier told me I was the only Sergt, who had paraded before him to go to France, eh what ! Well Bert I have no news to tell you so give my best to all I know. I saw Joe Iverson. I guess he will be coming back to Canada soon so you will see him. Well Old Man give my best respects to Mrs. Garment an the family and accept ….  LAC.   

[ missing text]

Tom’s Osborne – Last known letter. 

Letter from Thomas Osborne believed to be the last letter before his death. To “Bert”? Well Bert, I hear Sid is still at Bournemouth in hospital. I can’t understand it

From Pte. T. J. Osborne #123200, 10^th Platoon, C-Corp, 19^th Canadian, 2^nd Division, FRANCE.

I discovered additional information and the connection in FRANCE.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (14-12-1916), Commonwealth War Grave Commission, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7497 - 19, LAC,, CVWM
Supplemental Information	KIA; Death: 03/10/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Cemetery: VIMY MEMORIAL

Height	5'7"
Eye Colour	Hazel
Age	38 yrs. 4 mths.
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Birthplace	16/01/1877 @ Biouringham, England

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