119270 Sgt. Frederick George Francis Osborne RAFVR air gunner 103 Squadron from:Kendrick Mews, South Kensington, London (d.20th Feb 1944) Freddie Osbourne was a member of Sgt.W.L.Bradley's crew, Lancaster 111, JB745 PM-1,shot down en route to Leipzig. He was only 19, whereas his other gunner colleague was 37. Sadly, I have no photograph of him or his aircraft. As a young lad, I used to go out with his Father, Fred Osborne, helping him with his flower deliveries on a Saturday morning, but neither he, nor my Aunt Grace, would ever talk of him, and it has taken a lifetime to find details of him via a good friend with splendid connections, who handed me many details. It appears that both Aunt and Uncle were too grief stricken to ever mention their only child to anyone, even family..If anyone surviving 103 squadron could give me some idea what Freddie was like as a lad of 19 doing a man's job, and what he was like at the tail end of a gun, and how many German planes did he shoot down? I would love to know, as I am immensly proud of him. If anybody knows of a picture of him, I will gladly pay for a copy and all expenses. He died on the 20th.February, 1944 and I consider it my duty to pay his grave a visit in Hanover, as a mark of respect to him and the other members of the crew.
- Sgt W.L.Bradley
- Sgt F.J.Taylor
- F/S T.F.Johnston
- F/S J.Luck RCAF
- Sgt E.W.Hamilton
- Sgt F.G.F.Osborne
- P/O A.Stevens
Sadly, bad health has held me back for some time, but I will get there somehow. Thank you in anticipation.
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