Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service Number(s): 427657
Date of Birth: 1890
Place of Birth: Mountfield, Sussex
Date of Death: 11.11.1916
Place of Death: Somme, France
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France and on Page 144 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Address: 97 Windsor Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Henry Osborne, b.1851 in Robertsbridge, and Eliza Osborne, b. 1865 also in Robertsbridge.
Siblings:
William Wilson Osborne, b. 1885 in Eastbourne. W0289 OSBORNE William Wilson
Florence Kelusu Osborne, b. 1887 in Robertsbridge.
Leonard Henry Osborne, b. 1889 in Robertsbridge.
James Charles Osborne, b. 1890 in Mountfield.
By 1901 Henry and family were living at 16 Salisbury Road, Bexhill on Sea, and he was employed as a Lamp Lighter of Gas.
First World War Experience
A photograph of Arthur appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 11th December 1915 stating that he was part of the 46th Battalion Contingent and that he was the son of Mrs Osborne of 93 Windsor-road. The house number is, however, incorrect, as the family were living at number 97.
The following article appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 2nd December 1916:
“BEXHILL FOOTBALLER KILLED
Many Bexhillians will be sorry to hear of the death of Private Arthur Osborne, of the Canadians, son of Mrs Osborne, of 97, Windsor-road, Bexhill.
Private Osborne was formerly well known in local football. He was captain of the St. George’s Football Team, in which he took great interest. He went out to Canada to join his brother, Leonard, and they started a team; and when they played their first game there, the Canadians were much amused and interested. He enlisted in Canada on the outbreak of war.
Private Osborne’s Commanding Officer writes regretting his death in action on the night of November 10th, during an assault on trenches held by the Germans. He says: “He died performing his duty with unhesitating bravery and devotion. All members of the battalion regret very sincerely the death of your son. Several others made the same sacrifice, and we regard them all with pride and regret. I wish to express to you that regret and our sympathy.”
Private Osborne was a good son and brother. His mother in making public the announcement of his death expresses the hope that if there are any of his old football chums left in Bexhill who have not joined up, they will do so.”
Arthur is buried in Miraumont which is a little village about 14.5 kilometres north north-east of Albert and the Cemetery is some 3 kilometres south of the village on the east side of the road to Courcelette and the Adanac Military Cemetery is signposted in the centre of Miraumont.