William Osborne

Bank: Union of London & Smiths Bank

Place of work: London Princes Street office

Died: 11 September 1916

William Edward Osborne was born in London on 5 April 1889, the son of William and Caroline Harriet Osborne. He was a boy-chorister, one of the Children of the Chapel Royal, and after his voice broke completed his education at the Mercers' School in London.

After leaving school Osborne went to work for Union of London & Smiths Bank at its London Princes Street office. He was also a member of the bank's staff sports club, a talented cricketer, and represented the bank on its staff football team.

At the outbreak of the First World War Osborne joined the army, initially as a Private in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers in January 1916. Second Lieutenant Osborne died in France on 11 September 1916. He was 27 years old.

William Osborne is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest City of London office and on another held at NatWest Group Archives.