Selected Biographies

Osborn, Archie Walter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 20.3.1889.[1]  Parents: Alfred Osborn (Carman) and Catherine Emma [née Poole] of Long Melford (Horsehair Weaver).  Home: Rotten Row, Long Melford (1891), 31 Tenby Road, Stratford, Essex (1901), lodging with Walter Poole (Uncle) at 56 Balfor Road, Lower Edmonton, Middlesex (1911), 34 Bakers Row, West Ham, Essex [1915] to (1921), 31 Crow Lane, Romford, Essex [1929], Haslemore, Sunny Road, Hawkwell, Rochford, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Kitchen Porter (1911), Fitter’s Labourer [1915], Disabled Army Pensioner (1921 to 1939).  Married: Sarah Hephzibah Pollock in 1929.  Service Record: Archie was conscripted on 10.12.1915 as Rfn.9586 with 22^nd [Reserve] Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, transferring as Rfn.28447 to 8^th [Service] Battalion, Rifle Brigade [The Prince Consort’s Own] and posted to France from 8.12.1916 as part of 41^st Brigade, 14^th [Light] Division.  During his time at the Front in 1917, he saw action during the Arras Offensive and the early stages of the Third Battles of Ypres.  On 30.9.1917 he was transferred as Pte.TR13/380688 to the Labour Corps, returning to England in February 1919 and receiving his discharge in the following September.[2]  Died: Rochford, Essex in 1967.

Osborne, Alfred – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1890.  Parents: Charles Osborne (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Margaret [née Salter] of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Walter Osborne [b1889].  Home: Mill Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk (1891 and 1901), 73 Arthingworth Street, West Ham, Essex (1911), 40 Napier Road, West Ham [1920].  Occupation: Printer (1911).  Married: Frances Worboys in 1918.  Service Record: Alfred enlisted on 10.11.1914 as Pte.6752 with 14^th [Reserve] Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, transferring on 9.1.1915 as L/Cpl. G/38168 to 369^th [Home Service] Labour Company, Labour Corps, being placed on the Army Reserve on 11.11.1918 and receiving his discharge in March 1919.[3]

Osborne, Walter – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1889.  Parents: Charles Osborne (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Margaret [née Salter] of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Osborne [b1890].  Home: Mill Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk (1891 and 1901), 73 Arthingworth Street, West Ham, Essex (1911).  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1911) to [1916].  Service Record: Walter was conscripted on 24.6.1916 as Pte.36749 with the Queen’s [Royal West Surrey] Regiment, being posted to France from March to September 1917, later transferring as Pte.72322 to the Labour Corps.  On 1.1.1918 he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Aircraft Mechanic Third Class, moving to the Royal Air Force on 1.4.1918 as Pte.138370 and serving with N^o. 1 Command Squadron.  Following the end of hostilities Walter was retained as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany, receiving his discharge in April 1920.[4] 

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 6.10.1889, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] For details of 8^th Rifle Brigade’s movements during 1917 see War Diary [WO 95/1895/1].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [3] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [4] Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/1243/00139], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].