OSBORN, George


2135, Private, George OSBORN
Aged 25


16th Battalion, Australian Infantry
Died of his Wounds on Saturday, 14th August 1915

George OSBORN was born in Luton, Chatham, Kent, on 28th January 1890 (Medway Q1-1890 2A:607), son of John and Harriet OSBORN (née BAXTER).


1891 census...Aged 1, he was at 182 Walworth Road, Newington with his father John OSBORN, [32] a tool merchant, born Preston, Lancs; his mother Harriet [32] born Wagga Wagga, Australia. It seems there were two older sons, John (1884) and James (1886). Harriet bore 4 children but 1 died before 1911, only James and George have been found in any census. Brother James can be found here



1901 census...George has not been identified in this census. His parents were at 182 -184 Walworth Road, father a wholesale tool merchant.

1911 census...Aged 21, a horticultural student, he was boarding with Alfred and Agnes ALLENBY at High Street, Ripley, Surrey. His parents were still in Walworth Road with his brother James [25], his wife Elizabeth Caroline and their daughter Elsie and son Laurence

Brother James enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 31st August 1914, was wounded, and invalided out on 14th June 1916.

He was possibly the George OSBORN, aged 22 who sailed in 4th May 1912 from London aboard the "Kaikoura" bound for Melbourne, Australia. George's school connection is made by his entry and his regiment in the school roll of honour.


He enlisted in Keswick, South Australia on 11th March 1915, giving his age as 25 years 2 months, a gardener born Chatham, England. He was 5 feet 7.25 inches (170.9 cm) tall, brown eyes, dark hair, chest 34.5" to 36.5" (87.5 to 92.7 cm). Parents John and Harriet OSBORN of 161-163 Walworth Road, London.
From B Company Base Depot, he was posted to 6th Reinforcements, 16th Infantry on 16th April 1915. He embarked on HMAT A30 "Borda" at Adelaide on 23rd June 1915 to Gallipoli, where he was taken on strength on 30th July 1915.
On 13th August, ex HMHS "Canada" he was admitted to No.21 General Hospital in Alexandria, where he died the next day as a result of wounds to the chest.

His parents, attempting to find out what belongings he had left, wrote in to say they had received a letter 2 years earlier where George had said he was without a job and was thinking of returning to England. They remitted some money and then learnt that George was employed again, by Mr Marker a farmer at Gepps Cross, Adelaide and he was staying on. They told George to keep the money as a safeguard against any possible return to UK and they were asking the Australian authorities if George had a saving account. His personal belongings sent to them consisted of a rusty watch and strap, 2 pipes, a wallet, a testament and a disc.





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



George Osborn is buried in Alexandria (Gatsby) Military and War Cemetery, grave F:83

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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