Ashtead War Memorials - WWI

Pte Arthur Osborn
7th Bn, Norfolk Regiment

Arthur’s parents appear to have been George Osborn(e) [birth regstered Epsom 6/1857] and Mary née Sanders [born either Leatherhead, Surrey, or New Cross, London, registration untraced, ca 1860] whose marriage was recorded at Epsom for the June Quarter of 1888. His birth in Ashtead was registered at the same office, 6/1899.

Their family home had been established in Glebe Road, Ashtead, at the first house up from Barnett Wood Lane on the east side. George Osborne [sic], a Gardener, was enumerated for 1891 & 1901at that address, with his wife and a growing number of children including, at the later date, a two-year old Arthur. George’s continued occupation may be confirmed from Ashtead Street Directories for 1914-1918 but Soldiers who died in the Great War indicates that Arthur had moved to Epsom.

The WWI Medal Index Card for A Osborn shows that initially he had been in Hertfordshire Yeomanry, as Private D 27578, probably either 2/1st or 3/1st Battalion that did not leave the UK, but he was re-assigned to 7th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division.

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/12th-eastern-division/ : -
“On 4-5 September 1918 the Division relieved 18th (Eastern) Division east of the Canal du Nord and just south of Manancourt, for an attack on Nurlu. Formidable wire defences and German counter attacks were overcome, Nurlu was taken. The German army retreated in haste for several miles, pursued by the Division which reached the line Sorel Wood - Lieramont cemetery. The advance was continued early on 8 September, capturing Guyencourt although in spite of heavy casualties. The movement halted 1000 yards west of Epehy and Pezieres, where the Division was relieved. It was now some 17 miles ahead of where the offensive had opened on 8 August. More than 1000 prisoners had been taken, as well as 17 artillery pieces and dozens of smaller weapons.

The Battle of Epehy, one of the battles of the Hindenburg Line.

After a rest in the area of Manancourt, the Division was ordered to renew the attack on Epehy. This took place on 18 September. Enemy strongholds at Malassise Farm and Fishers Keep held on stubbornly and caused heavy casualties but gradually resistance was overcome. Over the next few days further attacks were made against heavily defended posts and trenches; fighting was intense and progress slow.”

Arthur would seem to have been wounded in that engagement. He died on 19 September 1918 and was buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension. During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

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text: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 23 Mar 09: 28 Nov 17