No.240478, Private, Maurice Sidney OSBORNE
Aged 33
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Maurice Sidney Osborne was born in Abberton, Essex (Lexden Q3-1884 4A:504) son of Richard and Elizabeth Ellen OSBORNE(née ROGERS). 1891 census...Aged 6, he was at Peldon Road, Abberton, Essex with his father Richard OSBORNE [31] farm hand born Peldon, Essex; his mother Elizabeth [28]; sisters Grace [4] and Jessie [1]. All except his father were born in Abberton. His father died in 1895 (Billericay Q4-1895 4A:255) ? and his mother married George Henry CLARK in 1897 (Lexden Q2-1897 4A:1036) 1901 census...Aged 16, recorded as Morice Clarke, a farm labourer, he was at Bully Green Cottages, Poslingford with his step-father G.Clarke; his mother Elizabeth; sister Jessie; half brothers Arthur CLARKE[7] and Adolphus CLARKE [3] both born Abberton, and William CLARKE [1] born Bradfield. 1911 census...Aged 26, single, horsekeeper, he was at The Elms Cottage, Depden with his stepfather, mother half-brothers Adolphus (labourer) and William; half-sister Nellie [7] born Hawstead; half sister Elsie [4] born Depden and his brother Arthur OSBORNE (labourer). Nowhere except on the Brandon memorial and the pension card does his name appear as Morris, it is always Maurice. From that pension card we find the Brandon connection, his dependant's address being given as Mrs Elizabeth Clark of Ivy Cottage, The Park, Brandon. He is also on the memorial at Nowton, his name on the memorial there seems to rely on his membership of the cricket team as no other documentation links him with Nowton |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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He attested in Bury St.Edmunds. The 1st/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were involved in the 3rd battle for Gaza. Zero for the attack was 3 am on 2nd November 1917. The objective for the Suffolks was a 6,000 yards front from Umbrella Hill to the sea at Sheikh Hassan, Sheikh Hassan being 3,000 yards from their start point. The first line trenches at El Arish Redoubt were soon cleared, then the second and third lines. As their flank was then exposed they withdrew to the second line. By the morning of the 7th the Turks had all gone but at the cost to the Suffolks of 150 casualties. CWGC have 34 killed on the 2nd, all bar 5 buried in Gaza War Cemetery.
Plaque in St Peter's Church, Nowton, Bury St.Edmunds photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
