Mexborough and Swinton Times February 23, 1918

Cpl. Harry Osborne, D.C.M.

On Friday morning, the death took place of Corpl Harry Osborne, D.C.M., No. 3 Signalling Section, 147th Infantry ThisBrigade. Royal Engineers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, of 65, Beech road, Wath-on-Dearne.

CorDl. Osborne. was an old scholar of Brampton School, after leaving which he was employed as a telegraph boy at the Post-office, Wath, and was also a boy scout. From there he went to W ath Main Colliery, and joined the Wath Territorials at the age of 17.

On the outbreak of war he was  called up in August, 1914, and proceeded to France with the Wath Territorials, attached to the signalling section of the 19th Division, Royal Engineers in April, 1915. After a busy time in France he gained the D.C.M. for devotion to duty, on July 13, 1915. Mending wires, under great difficulties where he was, choking with water, crawling on hands and knees, with shrapnel bursting all round him, and thus helping to save the situation of his comrades from an awful fate.

On his first leave home, in November, 1915, he was presented at the Sheffield Town Hall, by the Lord Mayor With the D.C. Medal, being the first soldier in the Sheffield and local district to receive that honour.

He returned to France, where he was a great favourite with his comrades. Seven weeks ago he came home for a month’s leave, being a time-expired man and very much in need of a rest. For a time previous his comrades had assisted him so much to keep him up until his leave_time came, as he, was feeling the effects of the mustard gas attacks (which is one of the worst), but did not want to give in and report sick. Soon after he returned home, his condition became serious and medical advice was obtainel and he was ordered to bed, his nervous system being very much affected. He got gradually worse, and died as stated on Friday morning last. Friends were most kind and one young soldier (Driver’ D. Darwin), just , hope on leave from France, sat for 24 hours with him at one stretch.

The funeral took place on Monday at the Wath Cemetery, the clergyman officiating being the Rev. Eric Parker, curate-in-charge, of St. James church where the first porton of the service was held. The church was, crowded with friends of the deceased, who

The coffin was of unpolished oak, with brass furniture, bearing the inscription: “Harry- Osborne, died February 15, 1918, aged 22 years.” It was borne to the grave Shrouded in the Union Jack by a, number of sotldiers from Silkstone Camp. After the committal service three volleys were fired by a firing party from Silkstone, and the Last Post sounded. Lovely wreaths and flowers were sent from ” Mother, father and brothers,” “Ada, Thy will be done,” Post-office staff. Wath, officials and workmen from Wath Main Colliery, and many other neighbours and friends.

From C.W.G.C.:

Corporal
OSBORNE, HARRY
Service Number 482250
Died 15/02/1918
Aged 22
40th Div. Signal Coy.
Royal Engineers
D C M

Son of Edwin and Rossannah Osborne, of 65, Beech Rd., Wath-on-Dearne.This