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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Thomas James Osborne

In memory of:

Private Thomas James Osborne

October 3, 1916

Military Service


Service Number:

123200

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)

Division:

18th Bn.

Additional Information


Born:

January 16, 1877

Commemorated on Page 144 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

VIMY MEMORIAL
Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

Canada's most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War is the majestic and inspiring Vimy Memorial, which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The Memorial is signposted from this road to the left, just before you enter the village of Vimy from the south. The memorial itself is someway inside the memorial park, but again it is well signposted. At the base of the memorial, these words appear in French and in English:

TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA


Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. A plaque at the entrance to the memorial states that the land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares in extent, was 'the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada'. Construction of the massive work began in 1925, and 11 years later, on July 26, 1936, the monument was unveiled by King Edward VIII. The park surrounding the Vimy Memorial was created by horticultural experts. Canadian trees and shrubs were planted in great masses to resemble the woods and forests of Canada. Wooded parklands surround the grassy slopes of the approaches around the Vimy Memorial. Trenches and tunnels have been restored and preserved and the visitor can picture the magnitude of the task that faced the Canadian Corps on that distant dawn when history was made. On April 3, 2003, the Government of Canada designated April 9th of each year as a national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– Inscription - Vimy Memorial … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Newspaper clipping– Front row 5th from left. In memory of the men and women of London, Ontario (and area) who went to war and did not come home. Remembered on the pages of the World War One issues of the London Advertiser. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Vimy Memorial– Canada's Vimy Memorial, located approximately 8 kilometres to the north-east of Arras, France. May the sacrifice of so many never be forgotten. (J. Stephens)

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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