James Osborne (VC)
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United KingdomJames Osborne | |
|---|---|
 Osborne in 1882 | |
| Born | 13 April 1857 |
| Died | 1 February 1928 (aged 70) Wigginton, Hertfordshire, UK |
| Buried | St Bartholomew's Church, Wigginton |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1876–1883 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot (1876–1881) 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment (1881–1883) |
| Battles / wars | Anglo-Zulu War |
| Awards | South Africa Medal, 1879 Victoria Cross, 1882 |
| Spouse |
Rhoda Osborne
(m. 1883; died 1925) |
| Children | 3 |
| Other work | Agricultural labourer |
James Osborne VC (13 April 1857 – 1 February 1928) was an English agricultural labourer, Private and recipient of the Victoria Cross.[1]
James Osborne was born on 13 April 1857 in Wigginton to John Osborne, an agricultural labourer, and Mary Osborne (née Coker).[1][2] Osborne was educated at Wigginton Village School.[1]
Upon leaving school Osborne worked as an agricultural labourer for the Rothschild's Champneys country house and estate.[1]
Military
In December 1876, Osborne enlisted in Hertford and joined the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot.[1] In 1879, Osborne was deployed to present-day South Africa to serve in the Anglo-Zulu War and was subsequently awarded the South Africa Medal.[1]
Osborne served in the First Boer War and fought at the Battle of Majuba Hill and Battle of Schuinshoogte.[1]
Victoria Cross
In 1882, Osborne was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 22 February 1981 at Wesselstroom (present day, Wakkerstroom):
For his gallant conduct at Wesselstroom, on the 22nd February, 1881, in riding, under a heavy fire, towards a party of 42 Boers, picking up Private Mayes, who was lying wounded, - and carrying him safely into camp
War Office, March 18, 1882.[3]
At the time of his award Osborne was a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment.[1] Osborne was awarded the Victoria Cross medal by Lieutenant-general Leicester Smyth at a investiture in Pietermaritzburg, Natal (present-day, KwaZulu-Natal).[1]