Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Osborne, a farm labourer, born 1845 in Hillmorton, Warwickshire and his wife Amy Osborne (nee Carter, married in the 3rd quarter of 1869 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), born 1848 in Barwell, Leicestershire. Edward was born on the 13th September 1884 in Barwell, his siblings were, Charles, a shoe trade finisher, born 1871, Mary A., a shoe trade machinist, born 1869, William, a shoe trade finisher, born 1874, Emma, a shoe trade machinist, born 1876, Isaac John, a schoolboy, born 1879, Henry, a schoolboy, born 1882, Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1887 and Lilian, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Barwell, in April 1891 the family home was at Duncombes Yard, Chapel Street, Barwell. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a boot maker and was residing in the family home at New Street, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire together with his wife Rose Mary Osborne (nee Tebbutt, married in the 1st quarter of 1910 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), a hosiery trade worker, born 1885 in Earl Shilton.
Edward attested on the 8th December 1915 and was transferred to the Army Reserve. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. His record of service records: Mobilised as Ordinary Seaman, service number R/5579 on the 24/7/17. Posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion at Blandford on the 25/7/17. Rated as Able Bodied Seaman on the 28/10/17. Posted to the Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division and embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19/11/17. Disembarked at Boulogne on the 21/11/17. Joined Brigade at Calais on the 26/11/17. Joined the Hood Battalion on the 27/11/17. Reported wounded on the 1/8/18. Admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen suffering from a gunshot wound to the head (Mild) on the 7/1/18. Invalided to the UK suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck on the 13/1/18. Admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station at Eastleigh on the 14/1/18. On furlough from the 27/3/18 – 5/4/18. Returned to Command Depot from furlough pm on the 5/4/18. Transferred from Command Depot to 2nd Reserve Battalion on the 27/6/18. Sick ashore on the 24/7/18. Returned from sick ashore on the 1/8/18. Entrained from Aldershot to rejoin the Hood Battalion with the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 6/8/18. Rejoined the Battalion on the 8/9/18. Killed in action on the 1/10/18. Buried in 57c.A.26.c.3.9. about 4¾ miles West North West of Bapaume. Exhumed and reburied in Arneux British Cemetery, 4½ miles South West of Cambrai in Plot 3, Row “F,” Grave No. 11 on the 6/8/20.
The War Diary records: 1 Oct-18 – F.24.b.7.3. Battalion in trenches about F.24.b.7.8. (Sheet 57c.N.E.) Intermittent Blue Cross shelling during night and day. Formed defensive left flank whilst 52nd Division went over. Temporary Sub Lieutenant CARD, L. H., wounded during afternoon of 30/9/18. Attached to 188th Brigade from 4.00pm from this date. Received orders at 10.30pm to proceed to a bivouac ground North East of Arneux where we arrived at 12 midnight. Under 189th Brigade from time of arrival. Ration Strength. Officers arrived from Divisional Reception Camp Temporary Sub Lieutenant R.N.V.R. JACK CLIFFORD MORLEY and JAMES HENRY EVANS. Casualties 17 Other Ranks.