FRANCIS PERCY RALPH OSBORNE
1902–1975
Brother of Samuel Bernal Osborne who was killed in action 2nd September 1918 in France
Born 8th November 1902 in Radcliffe on Trent.
Baptised at St Marys Church, Radcliffe on 21st December 1902
Married Kitty Chamberlain (born 13th February 1899) on 7th March 1925 in Rochester, Kent
Daughter Gwendoline M. born September quarter 1925, Medway district, Kent
Died 1975 in Nottingham district, age 72
1911 Census
Age 8, at school, living on Bingham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, with father Richard, general labourer, mother Mary and brother Samuel 12. Name recorded as Percy.
Military Service
Known as Ralph Percy on his service records
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd class by 1.1.19
Service Number: 284013; (333657 in 1939 on recall from Reserve)
Military Unit: Royal Air Force
12.8.18: Attested; Private 2; age given as 17 years 9 months (his actual age was 15 years 9 months), height 5ft 8ins, chest 32ins, hair brown, eyes hazel, complexion fresh, religious denomination Church of England, occupation carpenter
12.8.18: To R.D. (Reserve Depot), Blandford; trade classification Rigger Aero Lnr
1.9.18: To S.T.H.G. (School of Training Halton Camp)
9.9.18 – 2.11.18: S. of T.T. (School of Technical Training): Course of Rigging 230 hours. Specialised S.E.5. Proficiency satisfactory
2.11.18: Promotion: Reclassified on R/e(?): aircraftman 3rd class. Trade classification: Rigger Aero; Remus (remustered: assigned to other duties)
3.11.18: To 4 Air Ac Park (No 4 Aircraft Acceptance Park near Lincoln)
14.11.18 to 17.7.19: Character Good; trade Rigger Aero
1.1.19: Aircraftman 2nd class
31.3.19: Awarded 14 days detention for WOAS (while on active service) idleness whilst on sentry duty on 30.3.19
17.6.19: To Dispersal Centre, Ripon
17.7.19: Discharged to R.A.F. ‘G’ Reserve. Aircraftman 2 on discharge. Father’s address Richard Osborne, 31 Bertram St, Nottingham
13.8.19: Extension of service: Terms of enlistment 5+7 years. Former service permitted. Height 5 ft 11½ ins; chest 36 ins; wife’s address 22 Freeth Street, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.
17.3.21: 7 days detention (no reason given)
Aircraftman 1 by 31.12.21
20.6.25: Awarded 1st Good Conduct badge
21.12.26: Leading Aircraftman Educ. Exam. Class ‘C’
27.2.29: Awarded 2nd Good Conduct badge
12.8.31: Discharged. Address 31 Bertram St, Nottingham
13.8.19 to 26.11.38: Character very good; 13.8.19 to 31.12.26 Proficiency: Satisfactory; 13.12.27 to 12.8.31 Proficiency: Superior; 26.11.38 Superior
4.12.38: Re-engaged for 4 years in ‘E’ Reserve
25.8.39: Recalled from R.A.F. Reserve. New service number 333657
A note on his new service certificate states: ‘New certificate opened 30.8.39 (none handed in on mobilization)’
Awarded 1st and 2nd Good Conduct badge; permitted to reckon 10 years 167 days towards GCB with effect from 4.2.38. Authority: Records form T13 dated 28.11.40
11.3.42 Awarded 3rd Good Conduct badge
Post-WW1 service summary
| Date | Unit |
| 13.8.19 | Henlow |
| 19.8.19 | S. of AP |
| 30.8.19 | Halton |
| 2.7.20 | Uxbridge |
| 2.10.21 | Strensall a |
| 21.10.21 | T Depot |
| 13.6.22 | M Depot a |
| 7.7.22 | T Depot |
| 16.4.24 | 406 Flt, Leuchars |
| 29.5.24 | Base, Leuchars |
| 7.2.25 | 39 Squadron |
| 29.7.27 | HQ Cranwell (a) |
| 1.10.27 | 39 Squadron |
| 1.10.27 | HQ Cranwell |
| 12.8.31 | Discharged to ‘E’ Reserve |
| 15.11.38 | Hucknall |
| 26.11.38 | ‘E’ Reserve |
| 25.8.39 | Castle Bromwich Pool |
| 26.8.39 | 74 Wing Benson |
| 16.9.39 | 74 Wing HQ. In the Field |
Medals Awarded: Ineligible for WWI campaign medals as he served in the UK
1939 Register
Address: 22 Freeth Street, Nottingham (wife Kitty)
Occupation (wife): domestic duties
Household: Kitty Osborne only present. Ralph was serving ‘In the Field’.
Other Information
Kitty died in Rushcliffe district in 1990, age 91.
On 24th August 1939, Bomber command No. 1 Group was ordered to mobilise prior to proceeding to France as an advanced air striking force (AASF). The Group consisted of ten squadrons, located in pairs at Abingdon, Harwell, Benson, Boscombe Down and Bicester. Headquarters No. 1 Group then became became Headquarters AASF and the station headquarters and associated squadrons became Nos. 71, 72, 74, 75 and 76 Wings respectively. On 2nd September 1939 ten squadrons of Fairey Battle bombers and two of Hurricanes of the AASF were deployed to bases in France.
Following the despatch of the AASF, Headquarters of the new No. 1 Group began to form at Benson on 12th September. However, the Group was disbanded on 22nd December 1939 following postponement of the despatch to France of the Second Echelon (of which No. 1 Group Headquarters formed part).
Ralph is recorded as being with 74 Wing at Benson, Oxfordshire, on 26.8.39 and with 74 Wing HQ ‘In the Field’, on 16.9.39. It is therefore probable that he was sent to France with 74 Wing.
There are no further entries in the available service records other than a note which states: ‘Original F280 written up and dispatched to Airman on 8th February 1946’, so it seems likely that Ralph served throughout World War Two.
Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour
Born and lived in Radcliffe on Trent