Osborne, Arthur Daintree
SURNAME
Osborne
NAME
Arthur Daintree
PLACE OF BIRTH
Port Douglas (Daintree River)
OCCUPATION
Labourer
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
Cairns
DATE OF ENLISTMENT
29/04/1916
NEXT OF KIN
Frank Osborne (father), Daintree River
LINK TO DOUGLAS SHIRE
Born and lived in the Daintree district,
REGIMENT 1
11th Depot Battalion
RANK
Sapper
CAMPAIGN 1
Western Front
DATE DISCHARGED
21/08/2019
OTHER INFORMATION
Tunnelling Coy, Awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
STORY OUTLINE
Arthur Daintree Osborne was one of three sons of Daintree pioneers Frank and Jane Osborne who enlisted in World War I. Arthur was the only one to go overseas;
Harold and Eric both caught serious illnesses in training; Harold died. Arthur was signed up as a sapper with the 11th Battalion Tunnelling Company. This unit played a significant part in the tunnelling and mine laying prior to the Battle of Messines in June 1917. The series of mines created havoc among the enemy when exploded.
Arthur suffered several bouts of bronchitis requiring hospitalisation in England but had no reported injuries.
He arrived back in Australia in July 1919 and returned to life on the Daintree -occupied firstly with carpentry and tree-felling then running a boat service.
Arthur married Sarah May in 1930 and raised six children (Mary, Patrick, Jeanette, Harold, Margaret and William).
After selling his boat in 1937, he raised cattle.
Arthur Daintree Osborne died in 1959, aged 75.
SERVICE NO
6638
