Name
Harry Cecil (poss C H) Osborn
9/11/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/04/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/18143
Royal Sussex Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SENLIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. B. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
"UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN"
UK & Other Memorials
Derby Road Baptist Chapel Memorial, Watford,
Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford
Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance,
Not listed on the Oxhey Memorials,
Southend-On-Sea Roll of Honour
Pre War
Harry Cecil Osborn, born on 9th November 1895, in Watford, Herts, was the second son of Charles Edwin Osborn, a Company Accountant and Elizabeth Helen Osborn, (nee Roberts), one of six children.
His parents married 1893 in the Watford district. Charles died 30 June 1946 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, aged 76.
1901 Census records Harry aged 5, living with his parents, brother Charles 6, and sister Bessie 1, at "The Homestead" Suffolk Road, Suffolk Terrace, Bournemouth, Hants.
Sometime between 1901 & 1902 the family moved back to Watford. Harry attended Watford Boys Grammar School from 1904 until 1911.
1911 Census records Harry aged 15, at school, living with his parents, brothers Charles (a Bank Clerk), Jeffrey 3, sisters Bessie 11, Doris 9 and Maria 6, at 4, Kingsfield Road, Watford, Herts.
Charles and Elizabeth later moved to "Meadowcroft" 334, Westborough Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Elizabeth died on 1st April 1919.
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted at Warley, Surrey, posted to the Royal Sussex Regiment, formerly Private 4042 with the 2nd/5th Battalion and then Private G/18143 with the 7th Battalion.
Harry served on the Western Front and was Killed in Action on 9th April 1918, aged 23. He is buried at the CWGC Senlis Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme, France. Grave Ref, I. B. 5.
His name is not on the Bushey or Oxhey War Memorials.
He is recorded as "H. C. OSBORNE" on the Watford Boys Grammar School records.
Additional Information
Harry is commemorated on his mother’s headstone in Watford Cemetery, his part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF HARRY CECIL OSBORN. SECOND SON OF THE ABOVE [Elizabeth Helen Osborn] WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE ON APRIL 9TH 1918. AGED 22 YEARS.
“REUNITED”
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“OSBORN, CECIL HENRY. School period: January, 1904, to July, 1911. Private, 5th Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action, April, 1918.”
After his death he was recorded as the son of Charles Edward Osborn, of 344, Westborough Rd., Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, and the late Elizabeth Helen Osborn. Born at Watford.
His headstone inscription reads: "UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN".
The value of his effects were £11-15s-5d, Pay Owing and £9, War Gratuity which went to his father Charles.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 April 1918.
He is recorded as H C Osborne on the Watford Grammar School records.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH online via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
