Chapter LXIII: Part 63
=NORTHEY, ALFRED=, Lieut., 4th, attd. 3rd, Battn. Worcestershire Regt., yr. _s._ of the late Rev. Alfred Edward Northey, formerly Vicar of Rickmansworth, co. Hertford, by his wife, Alice (Lisworney, Torquay), dau. of Frederick Hatton, and grandson of Lieut.-Col. William Brook Northey, of The Mount, Sevenoaks, Coldstream Guards, J.P., D.L.; _b._ at The Vicarage, Rickmansworth, 10 Sept. 1886; educ. at Rottingdean, Sherborne School, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the 4th Worcesters 3 Feb. 1906, and promoted Lieut. 24 Oct. 1908; joined his battn. at Malta, where he was stationed until Nov. 1908, when it proceeded to Bareilly, India. Returning from India on sick leave in Feb. 1911, he was sent to the Depôt at Worcester, and was there when war broke out. He acted as Machine-Gun Officer at Tregantle, Cornwall, until 30 Aug. 1914, when he left for France in charge of a draft, and, after being stationed for three weeks at St. Nazaire, joined the 3rd Worcesters (7th Brigade, 3rd Division) at the Front. He was killed in action, 12 Oct. following, close to Richebourg St. Vaast, while the battn. was fighting its way through Richebourg to Neuve Chapelle. He was _unm._ His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was killed whilst leading his men in the attack. He was killed instantly, and did not suffer. He was a splendid officer, and can ill be spared. I hope it may be some little comfort to you, that he died leading his men in the most gallant manner.” He was mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. [London Gazette, 17 Feb., 1915.] Lieut. Northey was an excellent musician, playing both piano and violin; a good all-round sportsman, and very popular with both officers and men.
=NORTON, WILLIAM GEORGE=, Private, No. 3582, 2nd Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of George Thomas Norton, of 21, Newman Road, Plaistow, Labourer, by his wife, Mary Ann, dau. of William Smith, Master Baker; _b._ Poplar, 7 Dec. 1898; educ. West Ham; trained in the West Ham Boys’ Naval Brigade for 2½ years under A. E. Cleave, commanding officer; was employed as a Coppersmith at the Plaistow Railway Works; volunteered and joined the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, 13 Feb. 1915; went to France, 17 April, and died at No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul, 6 June, 1915, of a gunshot wound in the head, received in action, 31 May, 1915; _unm._ Buried in the Civil Cemetery, Bailleul.
=NOTTON, HARRY GUY=, A.B., J. 2639, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=NOURISH, THOMAS ALDERMAN=, Private, No. 6118, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of Thomas Nourish, of Highland House, Kilby Road, Fleckney, Leicester, by his wife, Hannah, dau. of Anthony Loomes, of North Kilworth; _b._ Illston-on-the-Hill, co. Leicester, 8 March, 1881; educ. Fleckney Church of England School; enlisted 23 Feb. 1905; served in Egypt, 29 Sept. 1906 to 29 Jan. 1909; obtained his discharge and joined the Reserve, 23 Feb. 1908; was called up on mobilisation in Aug. 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 12 Aug., and died in No. 4 General Hospital, Boulogne, 4 Nov. 1914, of wounds received in action at Rentel, 29 Oct.; _unm._ Buried in Wimereux Churchyard (Grave No. 21).
=NOVELL, WILLIAM=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 3819), 189603, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=NUNN, ARTHUR WILLIAM=, Stoker, 1st Class, 228989, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.
=NUNN, FRANK ALFRED=, Acting E.R.A., 4th Class, M. 7311, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.
=NUNN, FREDERICK WILLIAM=, Leading Cook’s Mate, 347626, H.M.S. Arethusa; killed in action in the Heligoland Bight, 28 Aug. 1914.
=NUNN, MERVYN HENRY=, Lieut.-Col. Commanding 9th (Service) Battn. Worcestershire Regt., _s._ of William Henry Nunn, of Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells, by his wife, Sophie Caroline, dau. of Major Richard Rollo Houghton, late of the Buffs; _b._ Woolhampton, co. Berks, 17 Nov. 1864; educ. Harrow; was gazetted Lieut. to the Worcestershire Regt. from the Militia, 28 April, 1886, and promoted Capt. July, 1892, Major 13 Nov. 1901, and Lieut.-Col. 8 Jan. 1915; was employed with Egyptian Army, 27 Dec. 1896 to 1 Oct. 1897; served in the Nile Expedition, 1897 (Egyptian medal with clasp, and medal); and in the South African War, 1902; was in command of the Imperial Yeomanry Battn., from 26 Feb. 1902; took part in operations in Natal (Queen’s medal with clasp); retired and joined the Reserve of Officers, 11 April, 1906, but rejoined his old Regt. on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; went to the Dardanelles, 24 June, 1915, and was killed in action at Chunik Bair, 10 Aug. following; _unm._ He was mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s Despatch of 11 Dec. 1915, for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Col. Nunn was a fine sportsman, a good man to hounds and a good polo player.
=NUTCHER, MONTAGUE CYRIL=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 3961), S.S. 1224, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=OAKELEY, FRANCIS ECKLEY=, Lieut., R.N., 5th _s._ of the late Rev. James Oakeley, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Hereford, by his wife, Frances E. (Westdale, Chilston, Torquay), dau. of John Eckley, of Credenhill Park, Hereford; _b._ Hereford, 3 Feb. 1891; educ. Hereford Cathedral School, Eastman’s, and the Osborne and Dartmouth Royal Naval Colleges; was one of the second batch of cadets entered under the “new scheme,” and passed out from Dartmouth, 15 Sept. 1908; became Midshipman, 15 Sept. 1908, Sub-Lieut. 30 Nov. 1911, and Lieut. Nov. 1913; served in H.M. ships London (flagship of Rear-Admiral Startin, Channel Fleet, Sept. 1908); Invincible (Capt. Mark Kerr, 1st Cruiser Squadron, March, 1909); the Téméraire (1st Battle Squadron, Nov. 1909); Warrior (2nd Cruiser Squadron, Jan. 1910); Ure (2nd Destroyer Flotilla, July, 1910); Dreadnought (flagship of Sir William May, Home Fleet, Sept. 1910); Formidable (Atlantic Fleet, April to Sept. 1911); Superb (1st Battle Squadron, Nov. 1911); Dolphin (Portsmouth Submarine Depot for Instruction, Jan. to May, 1913); and from the last was transferred to H.M.S. Forth at Devonport for submarines. In Sept. 1913, he returned to Portsmouth on appointment to the Arrogant for C 7, and after the outbreak of war was appointed to the Maidstone, additional for D 2. He was lost in D 2 during the last week in Nov. 1914; _unm._ He was widely known for so junior an officer on account of his remarkable merit as a Rugby football player. He was in 1913’s English International Fifteen _v._ Scotland, and was looked upon as the most promising player of the United Services. He began playing for the Services First Twenty when he was still a Midshipman The following season Oakeley and Davis played magnificently against Ireland at Twickenham, and against Scotland at Inverleith--two matches that England won. Lieut. Oakeley had two caps against Scotland, one each against Ireland and France, and he was always on the winning side. He won the second prize for the cadet competition Sabre v. Sabre at the Royal Naval and Military Tournament, 1906, and the first prize cadet competition, Foil _v._ Foil, in the following year.
=OAKES, ALEXANDER MONTAGUE=, Private, No. 11, 19th Battn. 5th Brigade, Australian Expeditionary Force, 3rd _s._ of the late Alfred Charles Oakes, of Camden House, Sussex Street, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa, Cape Civil Service, by his wife, Eliza Jane, dau. of George Robb; _b._ Cape Town, 26 Dec. 1885; educ. Normal College and St. George’s Grammar School, Cape Town; served for some time in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Mounted Rifles before going to Australia on 30 Jan. 1913. On the outbreak of war he immediately volunteered and joined the 1st Naval and Military Contingent which left Sydney, N.S.W., early in Aug. 1914, in the steamer Berrima, accompanied by H.M.A. ships Sydney and Australia, for the conquest of German New Guinea. In this expedition he lost, by an accident, the use of three fingers of his right hand and was for some time in Hospital at Sydney, but upon being discharged immediately re-enlisted in the 19th Battn. and left Australia in the Ceramic, 25 June, 1915. He was killed in action in Gallipoli, 29 Sept. 1915; _unm._ The battn. were on fatigue work with the engineers improving the firing line when it occurred, and Oakes was putting up sand bags, when about 4 a.m. a stray bullet struck him over the heart killing him instantaneously. His Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. W. K. S. MacKenzie, wrote: “Your son was on my staff at the Liverpool Camp in Sydney before we left Australia and during our stay in Egypt before we came to the Front. I saw much of him and was attached to him, and I feel his loss deeply, it was a great shock to me. He was a fine soldier, and was liked by everyone in the regt. He died bravely fighting for the Empire.” He was buried the same afternoon at the foot of a gully near the sea, and a cross with his name, etc., was erected by his comrades.
=OAKES, ORBELL=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Yorkshire Regt., 2nd _s._ of Lieut.-Col. Orbell Henry Oakes, of Nowton Court, Bury St. Edmunds, late 1st Battn. The Worcestershire Regt., by his wife, Laura Eliza Josephine, dau. of George Clifton, formerly R.N.; _b._ Mhow, India, 7 Nov. 1880; educ. Wellington College; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Garrison Regt. 28 Jan. 1903, and promoted Lieut. 2nd Yorkshire Regt. 3 Oct. 1906, and Capt. 29 Jan. 1913; served in the South African War, 1901–2; took part in the operations in the Orange River Colony, 1901–2 (Queen’s medal with four clasps); was employed with the West African Frontier Force, 6 April, 1910, to 3 Aug. 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, and was killed in action at Moulin du Pietre, near Neuve Chapelle, 12 March, 1915; _unm._ Buried there. The late Lieut.-Col. W. L. Alexander wrote: “He died in action on 12 March, gallantly doing his duty in a trench near the Moulin du Pietre. He was hit in the head by a bullet, and death must have been instantaneous. He had been doing splendid work with his company since he rejoined the battn., and his loss will be deeply felt by us, both as an officer and a comrade, for he had endeared himself to us all.”
=OAKES, RICHARD=, Stoker, 1st Class, S.S. 109616, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OAKLEY, GEORGE HOWARD=, A.B., 222020, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._
=O’BRIEN, HUGH CONOR HENRY=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, eldest _s._ of Henry Joseph O’Brien, of Whitepoint House, Weston, Queenstown, co. Cork, late Lieut.-Col. R.A.M.C., by his wife, Ethel, dau. of Henry Banister; _b._ Stoke Damarel, co. Devon, 19 Nov. 1880; educ. Clongowes Wood College; Stonyhurst (1896) and Royal Military College, Sandhurst (1899–1900); gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Munster Fusiliers, 11 Aug. 1900, and promoted Lieut. 6 March, 1903, and Capt. 1 April, 1910; served (1) in the South African War, 1899–1902; took part in the operations in the Transvaal, Jan. to July, 1901; operations in the Orange River Colony, Feb. to 31 May, 1902, and in Cape Colony, July, 1901, to 31 May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with clasp); (2) on the North West Frontier, India, 1908, as Brigade Signalling Officer, attd. 3rd Brigade, during operations in the Mohmand country (medal with clasp); and (3) with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, 1914. On 5 Sept. 1914, he left with the 2nd Battn. for Flanders where, and on the Aisne, he served in the trenches, except for one week’s leave home, until Dec. 1914. On 22 Dec. 1914, after a forced march from Bailleul, the regt. was ordered to retake, at all costs, trenches at Festubert which had been evacuated by Indian troops; advancing over open heavy ground in daylight, Capt. O’Brien, at the head of his company, was first wounded in the left side and fell, but was still able to encourage his men, calling out “Go on Munsters, now is your time to get back your own”; a few minutes later he was killed outright by shrapnel bursting over him; _unm._ An officer wrote: “He was ever a gallant officer, and died a glorious death after helping a wounded comrade to cover; by his death the regt. lost a most efficient and popular officer whom the men would follow anywhere.” Col. Bent, who was badly wounded, in the same regt., wrote: “I wish to tell you what a splendid officer your son was; you will have this testimony from others, but I must tell you what he was to me, as his commanding officer. He was of the best in every way, and as a company commander was of the greatest use to me--absolutely reliable, he had his company in first-class order. Beloved by all the men and officers, he was such a splendid man and soldier that it seems particularly cruel that he should have been taken so early.” Major Ryan, one of the few surviving officers of that fight, wrote: “From all accounts of everyone nothing could have been more gallant than the way he led his men.” When in India he got a Special Certificate at the School of Signalling, Kasauli. He was a keen sportsman and a good shot with gun and rifle, and on two trips to Cashmere and Baltistan made good bags of big game.
=O’BRIEN, JAMES JOSEPH=, Private, No. 1160, 1st Newfoundland Regt., _s._ of James O’Brien, of 27, Adelaide Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Cooper, by his wife, Mary; _b._ St. John’s, Newfoundland, 8 April, 1891; educ. Christian Brothers’ School there; volunteered on the outbreak of war and enlisted, 1 Feb. 1915; and died in Edinburgh Hospital, 2 Oct. 1915, following an operation; _umn._
=O’CALLAGHAN, DUNCAN MCKAY MACDONALD=, 2nd Lieut. 3rd attd. 2nd. Battn. Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., 2nd _s._ of the late Surgeon-Major George Henry Kenneth O’Callaghan, A.M.S., and eldest _s._ by his 2nd wife, Suzanne Charlotte (Minto House, Newquay, Cornwall), dau. of the late Thomas Harding, of Wick House, Brislington; _b._ Ludlow, co. Salop, 4 June, 1891; educ. Cheltenham College and Trinity College, Oxford; obtained his commission 10 Aug. 1914, being gazetted to the 3rd Battn. Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., served with the 2nd Battn. in France and Flanders, and was killed in action at St. Eloi, 14 March, 1915; buried in Military Cemetery, Dickebusch, Flanders; _unm._ At Cheltenham he won the Junior School Championship in Athletic Sports and represented the College in cricket and football. He was a College Prefect and Head of his House. On leaving, he gained a classical scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford, where he was elected member of the Oxford University Authentics Cricket Club. He played in the Freshmen’s and Seniors’ matches in football and cricket, and, after leaving Oxford, was a prominent member of the London Irish Football Club.
=OCHS, RONALD PHILIP=, 2nd Lieut., 5th, attd. 4th. Battn. The Middlesex Regt., yr. _s._ of Capt. James Frank Ochs, of 4, Sloane Gardens, S.W., now (1916) M.L.O. at Dieppe, by his wife, Amy, eldest dau. of Philip Goldsmith; _b._ 4, Sloane Gardens, S.W., 20 Nov. 1896; educ. at Chertsey, Sunningdale School, and Marlborough College; joined the Public School Battn. of the Middlesex Regt. on the outbreak of war, and was given a commission, 10 Feb. 1915; went to France early in June, 1915, and was killed in action at Hooge, Flanders, 27 Sept. 1915, and buried the next day at Brandhoek.
=ODDY, JOSEPH ETHELBERT=, A.B., 207511 Chatham, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=ODGERS, NICHOLAS=, Leading Seaman (C.G.), 179652 (Dev.), H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=ODLING, ERIC ROBERT MEADE=, Lieut., Royal Engineers, only _s._ of Charles William Odling, of Craignoon, Ridgway Gardens, Wimbledon, C.S.I., formerly Secretary to the Government of India P.W.D., and Inspector-General of Irrigation, by his wife, Alice Ronayne Mary, dau. of Robert Warren Meade, of Dublin; _b._ Darjeeling, India, 30 Oct. 1893; educ. Cheltenham College (scholar), passing 3rd on the list into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 20 Dec. 1912, and promoted Lieut. 12 Nov. 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. 1914, and after various services was appointed Acting Adjutant to the Signalling Coy. at Headquarters; invalided home in Oct. but returned to duty the following Jan. joining the 11th Field Coy. at Givenchy, 11 March, and was killed in action at Festubert, a fortnight later, 25 March, 1915; _unm._ Buried at Chateau Gorre, near Festubert.
=THOMAS-O’DONEL, GEORGE O’DONEL FREDERICK, M.C.=, Capt. and Adjutant, 4th Battn. Royal Fusiliers, only _s._ of Edwin Thomas-O’Donel, of Newport House, Newport, co. Mayo, J.P., D.L., by his wife, Melicent Agnes, dau. of Capt. Richard Annesley O’Donel; _b._ Dublin, 21 Oct. 1884; educ. Cheltenham College, and abroad; joined the Royal Donegal Artillery Militia in 1902; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the 4th Royal Fusiliers, 23 May, 1906; promoted Lieut. 10 April, 1909, and Capt. 26 Nov. 1914; appointed Adjutant, 15 Jan. 1913; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 13 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at Hooge, near Ypres, 16 June, 1915. Capt. O’Dond was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 19 Feb. 1915]; and was twice mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatches [London Gazette, 19 Oct. 1914, and 18 Feb. 1915]. Brig.-Gen. McMahon, commanding the Brigade, wrote on 5 Nov. 1914: “I think the Battn. has done very well out here, and I hope it will continue to do so. George is going strong and is fitter than when he started, and can claim a very large share in producing such good results as may have been attained”; and Col. Hely-Hutchinson wrote: “I cannot tell you what a shock the whole thing has been to me, we were the closest of friends, we slept together, we fed together, we rode together, and we fought together, and we never had a row for seven months, and the only time we had been separated, George goes and gets killed, and I get off. It is too sad after all the months he had been out and the good work he had done. I myself got a small touch of a shell on the head and have come home for a bit, thank God, as I don’t think I could have carried on any longer out there without George and the rest--we lost six killed and nine wounded officers, and I had no heart and was just tired out and so was George, he just went on till he dropped.” Major F. R. Mallock: “His death is a great loss to his country and the regt.--he served so gallantly and so well; there are few of us left who went out with the Battn., George was the only one of the combatant officers left after the fighting at Ypres. I had a great affection and admiration for him, he did work splendidly right through.” Brig.-Gen. Reginald Pinney, formerly commanding 4th Battn. Royal Fusiliers, also wrote to the late Capt. Thomas O’Donel’s father: “I am most distressed for you and his mother at George’s death--also for the regt. and the army, for he was fulfilling all the promise he showed when he joined; seeing his name gave me a special shock, for I had just heard of my getting a division, and had been talking of Staff and had hoped to get George appointed a G.S.O.” He _m._ in London, 26 Nov. 1914, Florence Violet (Newlands, co. Wexford), only dau. of George Claud Flood Braddell, of Newlands, co. Wexford, and Luckington, co. Wilts; _s.p._
=O’DONNELL, MARTIN=, Seaman. R.N.R., 2729A, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=O’GRAM, CHARLES=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 5549), S.S. 2104, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=O’HAIRE, DAVID=, Private, No. 11058, 6th Battn. Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd _s._ of the late David O’Haire, by his wife, Agnes (now wife of Private William John McCallister, of Dromore Street, Rathfriland, co. Down, now (1916) on active service with the Royal Irish Rifles), dau. of Thomas O’Haire; _b._ Lierkelly, Ballyroney, co. Down, 17 July, 1897; educ. Newry Street National School, Rathgueanel; was an active member of the Ulster Volunteer Force; enlisted, 27 Aug. 1914; left Basingstoke, with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, July, 1915, and was killed in action at the Dardanelles on or about 6 Aug. 1915; _unm._
=O’HARA, HENRY DESMOND, D.S.O.=, Lieut., 1st Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, only _s._ of William James O’Hara, of Oriel House, Ballincollig, Cork, Resident Magistrate, by his wife, Cecilia, 7th and yst. dau. of the late Peter Connellan, of Colmore, co. Kilkenny, J.P., D.L., and gdson. of the late Rev. James Dunn O’Hara, of O’Hara Brook and The Castle, Portstewart, co. Antrim; _b._ Ballydulf, Thomastown, co. Kilkenny, 21 May, 1892; educ. Dunchurch Hall, Rugby; Charterhouse, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 4 Sept. 1912; promoted Lieut. 29 April, 1914; went to the Dardanelles, 17 March, 1915; took part in the heavy fighting following the landing there, and died on the hospital ship Arcadian, 29 Aug. 1915, of wounds received in action on the 12th; _unm._ Buried in the military cemetery, Gibraltar. “On 25 April, 1915, at Sedd-el-Bahr, he took command of his battn. when all other officers had been killed or wounded. At night, when the enemy broke through the line, he displayed great initiative and resource in organising a successful counter-attack, restoring the line and causing great loss to the enemy.” For this he was awarded the D.S.O. [London Gazette, 3 June, 1915]. Lieut. O’Hara was also mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s Despatch of 20 May [London Gazette, 5 Aug.], 1915, for his conduct during, and after, the landing of the 29th Division on 25 April.
=O’KEEFFE, THOMAS=, Corpl., No. 11022, 1st Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 29th Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, eldest _s._ of the late Richard O’Keeffe, by his wife, Ellen (Dublin Road, Carlow), dau. of Andrew O’Neill; _b._ Ballykealy Ballon, co. Carlow, 10 Dec. 1892; educ. Christian Brothers Academy, Carlow; enlisted 10 Jan. 1911; was appointed L.-Corpl. 1912, and promoted Corpl. 1913; served in India, Nov. 1913, to Nov. 1914; left England with his regt. for the Dardanelles, 16 March, 1915; took part in the landing there, 25–26 April, and was killed in action at Gallipoli, 10 July, 1915; _unm._ A comrade wrote of him: “On one occasion we were advancing and the enemy’s trenches were about three or four hundred yards in front. At all events, a Sergt. of the Worcestershire Regt. twigged a wounded man lying out in front. At this time we were halted in a ravine preparing to advance, and the enemy’s fire was very heavy; at any rate, the Sergt. shouted at his men that there was a wounded man in front: would some of them go out and take him in? But the fellows all passed it down the line that there was a wounded man out in front: would someone go out and bring him in? At any rate Tom heard it, and asked immediately where the wounded man was. The Sergt. showed him, and Tom shouted round at me, ‘Will you come, Terry?’ Then without waiting for an answer he was out over the top and started running towards the wounded chap. I rushed out after Tom, and between us we got the chap in. He told us he had been lying out there two days--in reality he had been there since about 11 a.m. that morning; it was then about 6 p.m. He was wounded in the shoulder, side, arm and thigh, and had lost an awful lot of blood. He was in that much pain that he thought he had been there two days. The Dublins and Munsters were that weak then that they combined the two regiments and called us the Dubsters. Well, after bringing in that chap we advanced, and succeeded in routing the Turks and dug ourselves in in a new position, from which the New Zealanders relieved us the next day. Well, that is just one of the many little moves I was in with poor old Tom. Now I wasn’t present when Tom was killed; I was in the trenches, and Tom was in charge of a ration party going back along a nullah to draw the company’s rations, when he was killed by a sniper. It appears this sniper had command of this part of the nullah, and blankets and sandbag barricades were put to knock off the sniper, but all to no purpose; he must have been concealed on a hill. It was him that killed poor Tom. The bullet pierced his brain, and he only lived for a couple of minutes afterwards, during which time he was unconscious, so never spoke after being hit. The medical officer was present on the spot, but could not do anything. Tom is buried in a very nice cemetery in a separate grave.” His yr. brother. Richard O’Keeffe, is now (1916) on active service with the London Regt.
=OLDBURY, FREDERICK=, Chief Armourer, 340522, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.
=OLDFIELD, GUY CHRISTOPHER OTTLEY=, Lieut., 2nd Battn. The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regt., attd. King’s African Rifles, only _s._ of Lieut.-Col. Christopher George Oldfield, late Royal Artillery, by his wife, Margaret Elizabeth, dau. of the late Cortlandt J. Le Bailly, and gdson. of Sir Richard Charles Oldfield; _b._ Poona, India, 17 Sept. 1888; educ. Clifton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal West Surrey Regt. 19 Sept. 1908, and promoted Lieut. 1 April, 1911; was seconded for service with Uganda Battn. of the King’s African Rifles, 3 Dec. 1913; served in the Jubaland Expedition in the spring of 1914, and was killed in action at Tsavo, Mombassa, British East Africa, 6 Sept. 1914, while defending the Nairobi Railway against a superior German force armed with maxim guns; _unm._ His body was recovered two days later and buried at Tsavo. A brother Officer wrote: “It is quite impossible for me to convey to you in words how we all loved the dear lad. Such a shining example of a true Christian gentleman and sportsman.”
=OLDHAM, JOHN HASLOPE=, 2nd Lieut., 3rd Battn. Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., attd. 2nd Battn. King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., only _s._ of Ernest Haslope Oldham, of Oakfield, Chudleigh, co. Devon, by his wife, Alice, dau. of Charles Baker, of Portland Square, Bristol; _b._ Southgate, co. Middlesex, 7 Jan. 1891; educ. Blatchington Place, Sussex, Lancing College, and Hertford College, Oxford (graduated B.A. July, 1913), and on leaving there became junior master at Summer Fields, St. Leonards-on-Sea, in Sept. 1913; obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. in the Reserve of Officers, 16 July, 1913; volunteered on the outbreak of war, and gazetted to the 3rd Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., 11 Aug. 1914; went to France, 4 Jan. 1915, where he was attd. to the 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., and was killed in action during the Battle for Hill 60, near Ypres, 18 April, 1915; _unm._ Buried near where he fell. His Col. wrote: “He behaved in a most gallant manner and will be a great loss to my battn.”; and his Capt. “He was most capable and keen on his work and had done most awfully well all the time he had been out there. He was absolutely fearless, and he fell in the attack on Hill 60 gallantly leading his men forward. He was hit by a bullet early in the charge, but ignoring his wound he went on to the top of the hill. He had just jumped up on the parapet and started to run over the crest of the hill, when he was shot and killed instantly.” An In Memoriam, from the Summer Fields Magazine, stated: “It came as a great shock to us all to read of the death of Lieut. J. H. Oldham who fell at the head of his men on Hill 60. Mr. Oldham, who was educated at Lancing College, and Hertford College, Oxford, came to us as a master in Sept. 1913, and during his 12 months’ stay endeared himself to everybody by his unaffected kindliness, his energy and unselfishness. He was always ready to help the youngest boys, constantly improvising new indoor games for their benefit, and just as keen as he could be on the outdoor games, and the work of the school. We little thought when we said good-bye to him at the end of last Summer Term that we should see him no more, but it was like him to be among the very first to volunteer for active service, without hesitation as without fuss. He was sent to the Front in Jan. and died fighting gallantly early in April. Only a few days before his death he had sent cheery messages to the boys, with snapshots taken in the trenches and numerous inquiries and good wishes for their welfare. His noble example and good influence here will long be remembered.”
=OLDHAM, LESLIE WILLIAM SEARLES=, Major, R.E., only _s._ of the late Brigade Surgeon Charles Frederick Oldham, by his wife, Harriet Bertha (The Lodge, Bealings, Suffolk), dau. of Thomas Bailey, of Gloucester; _b._ London, 3 Feb. 1870; educ. Cheltenham College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.E. 27 July, 1889; promoted Lieut. 27 July, 1892; Capt. 5 May, 1900 and Major, 27 July, 1909; was in command of the R.E. with the Chitral Relief Force from Gilgit, 1895; was present at the actions at Chakalwat and Nisa Gol and was mentioned in Despatches. In 1899 he joined the Indian Public Works Department and did excellent work especially in connection with water supplies. After the outbreak of war he was recalled; was put in command of the 63rd Field Coy. and went to France in May, and was killed in action on the afternoon of 28 July, 1915, being shot by a sniper while inspecting work in the “Orchard” trench, near Festubert. He was a good all-round sportsman, particularly keen on polo and big game shooting, having done a good deal of the latter on the Pamirs and in the Central Provinces of India. He _m._ at Jubbulpore, Central Provinces, India, 27 Aug. 1900, Caroline Mary Burton, sister of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and dau. of the late Charles Altamont Doyle, of Edinburgh, and had a dau., Claire Annette, _b._ Nagpur, India, 5 Sept. 1906.
=OLDMAN, WILLIAM=, Seaman, R.N.R., 2354B., H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OLDREWE, PERCIVAL=, L.-Sergt., No. 8684, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards; _b._ co. Devon; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; killed in action, 13 Nov. 1914; _unm._
=OLDREY, ROBERT JOHN BLATCHFORD=, Capt., 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, eldest _s._ of the late Robert Blatchford Oldrey, of Harpole Hall, co. Northants, by his wife, Hannah Jane Powell, of The Laws House, Turvey, co. Beds., dau. of the late Richard John James; _b._ Northampton, 18 June, 1883; educ. Uppingham; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 4th Dragoon Guards from the Militia, 26 March, 1902; promoted Lieut. 27 Feb. 1905, and Capt. 21 Jan. 1911; was Adjutant from Jan. to 27 Oct. 1914; served in India, and with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, from 15 Aug. 1914; took part in the retreat from Mons, and the severe fighting during Sept, and Oct. and was killed in action while in command of a squadron at Richebourg, Neuve Chapelle, 29 Oct. 1914; _unm._ He was a keen polo player, and represented his regt. in the Inter-Regimental tournaments; and as a horseman had made his name famous in cavalry circles, being chosen to represent England in the jumping at Olympia, before King Edward and Queen Alexandra, at the 1st Olympian shows. He was also a prominent figure in the hunting world, being an ardent follower of the Oakley and Beaufort Hunt and a winner of many point-to-point races.
=OLIVE, JOHN=, Gunner, R.M.A., 7618, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=OLIVER, ERNEST JAMES=, Chief Stoker (R.F.R., A. 1936), 154787, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OLIVER, PERCY FREDERICK=, Armourer’s Crew, M. 7341, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OLLEY, MATT=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./13391, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OLLIFF, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 51370, 16th Battn. (Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force, elder _s._ of William Olliff, of 13, Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Motor and Cycle Agent; _b._ Newcastle-on-Tyne, 29 March, 1888; educ. Royal Grammar School there; served his apprenticeship with Messrs. C. A. Parsons & Co., Ltd., Heaton Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne; went to sea as an Engineer and took a 2nd Engineer’s certificate, afterwards going to British Columbia in Feb. 1913; worked for a time at the Esquimault Dockyard, leaving there to enter the motor trade in Victoria; volunteered on the outbreak of war, and joined the Victoria Rifles; came over in Feb. 1915, being one of a hundred picked men for the P.P.L.I., but was drafted to the 16th Canadian Scottish (Gordon Highlanders), and after only a fortnight in England, went with his regt. for the Front; came unhurt through the heavy fighting at Ypres 22–25 April, and was killed by a high explosive shell while resting by the roadside, on the night of 26–27 April, 1915; _unm._ Private Olliff was offered a commission, but as this entailed a return to Canada, refused it.
=O’MALLEY, EDWARD=, Stoker, R.N.R., 728V, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=O’NEILL, SAMUEL=, Lieut., 6th Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of Adolf George O’Neill, of Marland Grange, near Rochdale, co. Lancaster, J.P., Manufacturer, by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Holt, J.P.; _b._ Castleton, near Manchester, 11 June, 1894; educ. Parkgate (Mostyn House School) and Shrewsbury, and on leaving there entered the business of Messrs. Samuel O’Neill & Sons, Paper Tube Manufacturers, of Castleton; was given a commission as 2nd Lieut, in the Territorial Battn. of the Lancashire Fusiliers in Nov. 1911, promoted Lieut. 6 Jan. 1914; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; went to the Dardanelles from Egypt, and was killed in action there, 10 June. 1915; _unm._ He was congratulated by Major-Gen. W. Douglas, Commanding 42nd East Lancashire Division, on an action performed 4–5 June, 1915.
=ONSLOW, BRIAN WALTON=, Lieut., 11th (King’s Edward’s Own) Lancers (Probyn’s Horse), Indian Army, and A.D.C. to Gen. Sir William Birdwood, yst. _s._ of the late Col. Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, Royal Engineers, by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crowborough, co. Sussex), dau. of the late William Donald, of Lisle House, Cheltenham; _b._ Gillingham, co. Kent, 24 Aug. 1892; educ. Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Unattached List, 6 Sept. 1911; served his first year with the Royal West Kent Regt., passed into the Indian Army, 3 Dec. 1912. and was promoted Lieut. 6 Dec, 1913; took part in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915, and was killed in action there, 28 July, 1915; _unm._ Buried at Anzac Cove. He was mentioned in Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch of 22 Sept. [London Gazette, 5 Nov. 1915]. Gen. Sir William Birdwood wrote: “A finer fellow or better example of the true English gentleman never lived. A son of whom any mother must always have been most justly proud. Never out of temper, always doing what he could to help others, able far above the average. I had hoped a brilliant career was in store for him. Every individual here regrets and feels his death. I have lost the best and bravest of officers, the truest and trustiest of friends”; and a brother officer: “Few people could be so ill-spared. I never met or hope to meet a more lovable character; best at everything he ever did, both in work and play, and always so cheerful. I never heard anyone say anything but good of him, and he was quite the most popular officer both with the men and in the mess.” Admiral ........ wrote from the Dardanelles: “He was a splendid young fellow. We on board only knew him for a few months, but in that short time he made himself very popular with us all. Everybody liked him and admired him, and we looked on him as the true ideal of a British soldier. I fully realise what a great loss his services must be to Gen. Birdwood and to the service generally.” And the Principal of Cheltenham College: “He has left an influence and power behind him that many an older man would be proud to leave.” While at Cheltenham he won a mathematical scholarship, and was one of the most prominent members of the hockey eleven and football fifteen. He was a keen athlete, a good polo player, pigsticker, golfer, etc. Two of his brothers and two brothers-in-law are (1916) serving either in the Army or Navy. His eldest brother, Lieut.-Commander A. G. Onslow, D.S.C., was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland, 1 June, 1916.
=OPIE, ARTHUR GEORGE=, Petty Officer, 204207, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=OPIE, WILLIAM EDWIN=, Cook’s Mate, M. 4659. H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.
=ORFORD, CHARLES THOMAS=, Private, No. 14240. 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of the late Henry Orford, Platelayer, by his wife, Sarah, dau. of Thomas Booker; _b._ Bromsgrove, co. Worcester, 24 Feb. 1882; educ. Stourbridge Road Board School there; worked at the Midland Carriage Works, Bromsgrove; joined the 8th Worcestershire Territorials, 3 April, 1912; was called up on mobilization, 5 Aug. 1914; trained with them until 18 Dec. 1914, when he was discharged as medically unfit for further service, but joined the Coldstream Guards the next day; went to France in Aug. 1915, and died at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, 18 Oct. following, of wounds received in action. He _m._ at St. John’s Church, Bromsgrove, 1905, Louisa (17, Homes Cottages, Station Street, Bromsgrove), dau. of Samuel Perrys, and had five children: Henry George, _b._ 11 Sept. 1905; Charles William and Edna May (twins), _b._ 12 Sept. 1913; Annie Maud, _b._ 1 Dec. 1907; and Phylis Mary, _b._ 4 Feb. 1911.
=ORLEBAR, ROBERT EVELYN=, Lieut., 2nd Battn. The Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regt., only child of Lieut.-Col. Evelyn Henry Orlebar, of Rutt House, Ivybridge, South Devon, Royal Marine L.I., Plymouth Division, by his wife, Mary Louisa, dau. of William Morris, of Manchester [Cadet of Orlebar, of Hinwick, co. Bedford]; _b._ Walmer, co. Kent, 16 June, 1894; educ. Plymouth and Mannamead School, Cheltenham College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Middlesex Regt. 17 Sept. 1913, and promoted Lieut. 15 Nov. 1914; joined his regt. at Malta in Jan. 1914; went to France, 4 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 9 Jan. 1915, while on duty in the trenches; _unm._ He was buried in an orchard behind the battn.’s headquarters. Letters from his officers all testify to his courage and sterling qualities. He was good at all school games, hunted with the Dartmoor Fox Hounds, and had his first polo season at Malta.
=ORR, ROBERT WATSON=, 2nd Lieut., 1/18th (London Irish Rifles) Battn. The London Regt. (T.F.), 6th _s._ of John Orr, of 24, Belmont Gardens, Glasgow, by his wife, Catherine, dau. of Abreauden Ross, Railway Contractor; _b._ Glasgow, 19 Dec. 1878; educ. at the Academy there. He commenced his business career in Glasgow in the office of the United Kingdom Provident Institution, and remained with them until he joined the Scottish Life Assurance Co. as Assistant Secretary in London in 1908, and was still in the latter company’s employ when he joined the O.T.C. at the Inns of Court. He was training at Berkhampstead for four months, when he obtained his commission, 5 March, 1915. He joined his regt. at St. Albans, and proceeded with it to France nine days later, served in France and Flanders, and was killed in action in the advance at Loos, 25 Sept. 1915. He was buried at North Maroc, near Grenay. A good many years ago 2nd Lieut. Orr won a high reputation as a golfer. He was one of the foremost players in the Prestwick St. Nicholas Club, and gained many individual successes; but he will be remembered even more for his resourcefulness in the foursome form of the game. A neat and stylish golfer, he possessed temperamental qualities which made him an ideal partner in double harness. In 1908 he had the distinction of winning with his partner for the New Alban Club (Edinburgh) the “Evening Times” foursome tournament; and, in the same year, he was one of the quartette of players who enabled the New Alban Club to carry off also the “Evening Dispatch” trophy. When he went to London he joined the Northwood Club, and, in partnership with another member, succeeded in winning the London Amateur Foursomes in 1912. Though he never gained the highest honours in the Amateur Championship, 2nd Lieut. Orr was among the last eight in 1906; he also qualified three times--in fact, each time he entered--for the Open Championship. Brig.-Gen. Thwaites wrote to his wife: “He died in the full performance of his duty, superintending the establishment of communications for his battn. He came to his death ... as a brave soldier and gallant English gentleman should do.” He _m._ at Belhaven Church, Glasgow, 3 April, 1909, Annie Margaret (8, Springfield Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W.), dau. of the late James Crichton, of Edinburgh, J.P.; _s.p._
=ORR, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 7938, 2nd Battn. Highland L.I., _s._ of William Orr, of 19, Carlisle Road, Londonderry; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 16 May, 1915, of wounds received in action at Richebourg.
=ORROW, ALBERT WILLIAM=, A.B., J. 6317, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=ORSLER, GEORGE HENRY=, Private, No. 9144, 1st Battn. Scots Guards, _s._ of John Orsler, of Bridge Street, Framlingham, co. Suffolk; _b._ Framlingham; enlisted 14 Oct. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; killed in action, 1 Jan. 1915.
=ORTON, JAMES=, Private, No. 7602, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, eldest _s._ of James Orton, of 3, Victoria Street, Hinckley, by his wife, Maria, dau. of Samuel Spare; _b._ Hinckley, co. Leicester, 31 July, 1887; educ. Hinckley Church School; enlisted 11 Jan. 1908; went to France, August, 1914. and was killed instantly in action near Vermelles, Belgium, 24 Oct. 1915; _unm._ Sergt. Maddison wrote “he had always done his duty well, and was performing a dangerous task when he was shot.” His brother was killed in action, 20 Dec. 1915.
=ORTON, JOHN THOMAS=, Private. No. 12933, B Coy., 8th (Service) Battn. Leicestershire Regt., 3rd _s._ of James Orton, of 3, Victoria Street, Hinckley, by his wife. Maria, dau. of Samuel Spare; educ. Hinckley Council School; was a Shoe Hand; volunteered after the outbreak of war, and joined the 8th Leicesters, 3 Sept. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 28 July to 20 Dec. 1915, on which day he was killed in action, two months after his elder brother; _unm._ His company officer, Capt. H. L. Beardsley, wrote: “It is with much regret, and the deep sympathy of myself and the other officers of my company, that I have to convey the sad news of the death of your boy, who was killed by a sniper on the 20th inst. whilst carrying out his duties; he was shot through the heart and died almost immediately. A thorough, conscientious, hard-working lad, he will be sadly missed by us all.”
=OSBEN, GEORGE THOMAS=, Private. R.M.L.I. (R.F.R.), Ch. 11918, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._
=OSBORNE, ALBERT VINCENT=, Private, No. 1837, 5th (Cinque Ports) Battn. Royal Sussex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of Albert Osborne, of Water Mill, Guestling, by his wife, Kate, dau. of William Dennett; _b._ Guestling, co. Sussex, 23 Nov. 1893; educ. there; was a Milkman; joined the Sussex Territorials, 26 Feb. 1914; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; was sent to Dover, and then to the Tower; went to France, 18 Feb. 1915, and, after being in the trenches, was resting at a farm on 16 May, when a shell burst, killing and wounding many. Osborne was sent to the 2nd General Hospital at Manchester, where he died, 24 May, 1915; _unm._
=OSBORNE, BRIAN=, Capt., 15th (The King’s) Hussars, yr. _s._ of the late Capt. Frank Osborn, of Harbury Hall, near Leamington, 13th Hussars, by his wife, Helen, dau. of Thomas Lever Rushton; _b._ Sydney, N.S.W., 18 Nov. 1888; educ. Harrow, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the 15th Hussars, 8 Feb. 1908, and promoted Lieut. 22 Jan. 1909, and Capt. 15 Nov. 1914; went to France, 23 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action, 11 Nov. 1914, during the assault on the trenches near Herenthaze Château by the Prussian Guard. He had been sent with his machine gun to support the Duke of Wellington’s Regt. He was at first reported missing, and it was not until the following March that confirmation of his death was received in a letter from one of his machine gun section, a prisoner of war in Germany; _unm._ At Harrow he was successful in both cricket and football, and was first string at racquets; at Sandhurst he won the sword of honour; and in 1908, after joining the 15th Hussars, he attained a great record of first-spears in pig-sticking when quartered at Muttra. As a polo player he came to the front with amazing rapidity, playing for his regimental team and winning the South African Inter-Regimental Tournament in 1911, and repeating the event against more powerful opponents in the English Inter-Regimental Tournament at Hurlingham in 1913. As a member of the Cavalry School team and the Cavalry Club team he lent his aid successfully, and was invited by Lord Ashby St. Ledger, now Lord Wimborne, to practise in the international team of 1914, as choice for the American Expedition. He was a fine rider to hounds, and well known in the Warwickshire country.
=OSBORNE, FRED=, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9092), 198537, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OSBORNE, FREDERICK=, Private, No. 1597, 1/6th (Cyclist) Battn. Suffolk Regt.(T.F.), 2nd _s._ of William Osborne, of 33, Salisbury Road, South Lowestoft, one of the staff of Lowestoft Central Station, by his wife, Mary Ann. dau. of (--) Hill, of London; _b._ Lowestoft, 19 April, 1892; educ. there; was a Waiter at the Imperial Hotel, Lowestoft; volunteered and joined the Cyclist Battn. of the Suffolk Regt. in Oct. 1914, and died in the Isolation Hospital, Lowestoft, 2 Feb. 1915, of disease contracted while on active service; _unm._
=OSBORNE, JOHN ALFRED VICTOR=, Private, No. 3204, 2/1st Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of George Christopher Osborne, ex-Sergt. Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard, by his wife, Louisa Helen, dau. of George Peall, of Chertsey, Surrey; _b._ Marylebone, London, 17 June, 1897; educ. Barnsbury Park High Grade School; volunteered after the outbreak of war and joined the Royal Fusiliers, 12 Nov. 1914; trained at Tonbridge; went to Malta, 1 Feb. 1915, where the regt. performed garrison duty until 9 Sept., when they were sent to Egypt, and thence to the Dardanelles on the 19th, where he died, 27 Sept. 1915, of wounds received in action; _unm._ A comrade wrote; “I was out with your son on the night he was killed, but was not very near to him, so I did not see the last of him. He was shot in the muscle of the arm by an explosive bullet, and got wounded very severely, dying on admission to the hospital. He was buried by some of his fellow mates, and a cross erected over his grave with suitable wording. If ever a man died doing his duty for his King and Country, your son did, and it was a marvel to me how the remainder of us out that night did not get killed.... Our platoon have been very unlucky, and out of Jack’s section there are only about three of us left.”
=OSBORNE, JOHN HENRY=, Leading Stoker (Coastguard), 308083, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.
=OSBORNE, LESLIE HALL=, Lieut., 9th Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd _s._ of John Hall Osborne, of Summer Court, Queen’s Walk, Ealing, formerly of China, by his wife, Jane Jenkinson, dau. of Capt. John Whittle; _b._ Shanghai, China, 2 July, 1894; educ. St. Edmund’s, Canterbury, where he won distinction on the Modern side, and went into residence at Christ’s College, Cambridge, in Oct. 1912. Having tried for an Honorary Entrance Scholarship in Medieval and Modern Languages in 1911, he was placed 2nd Class in that subject in the Intercollegiate examination of July, 1914, and was given his degree in the following year under the regulations for men on active service. He was studying at Greifswold when war was declared, and going (5 Aug. 1914) to Stettin to appeal for help to the British Consul, was arrested as a spy and detained for four days, when he was released and ordered to leave the country. At St. Edmund’s he had been a keen member of the O.T.C., gaining Certificates A and B, and on reaching England he applied for a commission, being gazetted 2nd Lieut., 9th Lancashire Fusiliers, 2 Sept. 1914, and promoted Lieut. 1 June, 1915. He left England with his regt. early in July; took part in the landing at Suvla Bay on the night of 6 Aug. 1915, and fell the following day early in the advance to the attack of Hill 10, shot through the heart. His body was recovered next night and buried with those of five brother officers in rising ground about the middle of Suvla Beach, just north of the Canal that leads into the Salt Lake; _unm._ His elder brother, 2nd Lieut. W. J. Osborne, was mortally wounded in the same action. While at Christ’s College, Cambridge, he took an active part in the Hockey XI. and in the Lent term, 1913, played in goal in most of the University matches. He also occasionally played for the Surrey Club.
=OSBORNE, MAURICE GODOLPHIN=, Capt., 3rd Battn. Rifle Brigade, 3rd and yst. _s._ of the late Sidney Goldolphin Osborne, Commissioner of Inland Revenue (died 1903), by his wife, Margaret Dulcibella (51, Elm Park Gardens, London, S.W.), dau. of Hugh Hammersley, of 6, Cromwell Gardens, London, and grandson of the late Rev. Lord Sidney Godolphin Osborne [yr. bro. of George, 8th Duke of Leeds]; _b._ London, S.W., 1 July, 1889; educ. The Old Ride, Bournemouth and Cheltenham College; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the Rifle Brigade, 20 April, 1910; promoted Lieut. 23 Dec. 1911, and Capt. 15 Dec. 1914; was appointed machine gun officer in May, 1913; went to France, 5 Sept. 1914, and died in Bailleul Hospital, 25 Feb. 1915, of wounds received in action in the trenches near Armentières on the 10th, while making an emplacement for one of his machine guns; _unm._ Buried at Bailleul. Capt. Osborne was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 23 June, 1915. He was a member of the Army Revolver Thirty in 1912, and won several cups and prizes in the All-Ireland Rifle Meeting of 1912 and 1913, both individually and in the Regimental Officers’ Team, and in 1911 he won the Regimental Heavyweight Point-to-Point, on his own horse Chance.
Comments
Log in to leave a comment.
The Roll of Honour, Volume 1Chapter LXIII: Part 63
0%36 min left in chapter