South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 2229 William Matthew OSBORNE - 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Tuesday 10th November 1914 aged 21


Military History

     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
22 Aug 1914 in Boulogne, France ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington St. John's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of Armentieres December 1912 in Warwick   
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Houplines, Armentieres ~
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as dying of wounds received in action on 10th November 1914. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 11th November are transcribed below and indicate that William was the only casualty of enemy shell fire on the 9th or 10th when his unit, C Company, were shelled by the enemy on both days.

Houplines - 8 Nov 1914: Fog in morning, lifted at 10am. Battle still raging round Le Gheer, 11th Brigade engaged.

Quiet on our front. Normal shelling & sniping. 1 killed and 5 wounded. Quiet night.

Houplines - 9 Nov 1914: Dull day, no fog. Little shelling & sniping. Terrific battle & gun fire to north of us. Cold day.

Hamilton’s Farm shelled and burnt. C Coy shelled, one casualty.

Houplines – 10 Nov 1914: Fine day. Quiet during the night on the whole. C Coy shelled again 1 casualty.

Houplines – 11 Nov 1914: Dull day. Heavy bombardment of Houplines all day. German Infantry firing volleys in afternoon. German attack trenches in evening, chiefly against C Coy.

Heavy musketry & shell fire, attacks not pressed. Very heavy rain all the time making communication almost impossible.

Several rifles jammed, ammunition seems to have too large a rim.

2/Lt D W Rennie (5th Bn Royal Fusiliers) & 1 man killed & 2 wounded.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1893 in St. John's Parish, Leamington Spa 6 Jun 1894 at Leamington, St John the Baptist                
   
Parents Names Abode
Walter and Mary Osborne 44 Stockton Road, Coventry
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1894 - 13 Charles Street, Leamingto Spa 1901 - Scholar 
1901 - 34 Charles Street, Leamingto Spa  1911 - Grocers Assistant 
1911 - 4 Warneford Place, Leamington Spa 1912 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt 
1914 - 44 Stockton Road, Coventry  
   

Please note the following:

  • We believe that their is an error on the St. John's memorial where the name given is C.W. OSBORNE.
  • The main Leamington Spa war memorial lists a W.M. OSBORNE and there is no reference to a C.W. Osborne
  • William M. Osborne was born, baptised and lived in St. John's parish
  • The only C.W. Osborne that we found is Private Charles William Osborne who was born, raised and enlisted in Auckland NZ
  • We found no connection between Charles or his parents and siblings with Leamington Spa
  • The South Warwickshire Roll of Honour have used Charles William Osborne in their transcription, we believe in error.