Thomas Alfred Osborne
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Semaphore, South Australia |
| Death | 10 Sep 1963, aged 83 |
| Place of Death | Inglewood, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 34 years, 4 months |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall; weight 140 lbs (63.5 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes and auburn to grey hair. |
| Occupation | sleeper carter |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Friend Mrs Florence Quick |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7289 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Dec 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 24th Reinforcement / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 - 29 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Date of Return | 10 Jul - 15 Jul 1918 (Ship sunk by U-Boat) |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A43 Burunga |
| Date of Return | 8 Aug 1918 - 28 Sep 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Carpentaria |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals | British Military Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1912 - 1913 at 7 Mile camp, Newcastle road, Sleeper hewer with Adelaide
War Service
Within a month of beginning his training he was allocated to the 24th reinforcement for the 11th Battalion.
Soon after his arrival in England he was hospitalised for a week at the Fargo Military Hospital. He was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington and while there completed a training school on the Lewis Gun, being ranked as 'good'.
In Nov 1917 he was transferred to the 2nd Training Battalion at Sutton Veny, and in Mar 1918 is transferred again to No2 Command Depot in Weymouth from where he was to return to Australia due to disability with Sciatica Nerve problems. So he never got to France.
However, when sent back to Australia, one day out of Plymouth (15 Jul 1918) his ship the D16 Burunga was sunk by a U Boat. He was rescued next day, spent time on shore and then returned to Australia on the D19 Carpentaria.
Post War
1920 Thomas married Florence Mary Quick. No children found. Florence died 19 Aug 1967 aged 73.
Electoral Roll entries - 1919 at 15 7th Avenue Mt Lawley, wood turner with Florence; 1925 - 1963 with Florence at 78 Tenth avenue (corner John street).
Notes
Seemingly both Adelaide (1912 & 1913), and Florence (1919) imply they are Tom's partner before they get him to the altar.