Family Search: When Private Thomas James Osborne was born on 16 January 1877, in Blackdown, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom, his father, Thomas Osborne, was 15 and his mother, Ann Grant, was 16. He married Elizabeth Fanny Smythe on 11 September 1898, in London, England, United Kingdom. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Kent, Ontario, Canada in 1911 and Chatham, Kent, Ontario, Canada in 1915. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1915, at the age of 38, his occupation is listed as cabinent maker in Chatham, Kent, Ontario, Canada. He died on 3 October 1916, in Courcelette, Somme, France, at the age of 39, and was buried in Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Letter from Thomas Osborne – This is believed to be Thomas James Osborne’s last letter before his death. Sept.1 (rec’d) Pt.T.J.Osborne #123200 10 Platoon C.Corps 18th Canadian 2nd Division, France Dear old Chum, Received your welcome letter yesterday and glad to hear from you. As you will note they let me revert to go to France when they tried in all ways to stop me so at last I am in it. Well Burt, I am with a London 18th one that has done good work so I am more content now. Sorry to say I cannot give you any news but it is…(missing text). Source: CVWM
Page 2 of Letter – Well Bert, I hear Sid is still at Bourneworth(?) in hospital. I can’t understand it but there(?) you know how things are. There a Hell of a lot more working from in the old country for instance the Sergts mess. I was in number 260 and the Brigadier told me I was the only Sergt, who had paraded before him to go to France, eh what! Well Bert I have no news to tell you so give so give my best to all I know. I saw Joe Iverson. I guess he will be coming back to Canada soon so you will see him. Well Old Man give my best respects to Mrs. Garment and the family and accept(?)…(missing text). Source: CVWM
Source: Chatham Planet. December 14, 1916. Via Allan Miller post at 18th Battalion Facebook Group.Photo of Kid Osborne – On the back of the photo is written: Best Wishes to my Chum Horace Garment, From Kid Osborne Middle Weight Champion of Western Canada. Via CVWM.Via John P. Sargent post at 18th Battalion Facebook Group.
Inscription – His name as it is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial (2010). Over 11,000 fallen Canadians having no known place of burial in France, are honoured on this Memorial. May they never be forgotten. (J. Stephens). Source: CVWM
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 