Royal Enginneer - Joseph Osborne

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Ronnyson, Mar 24, 2009.

  1. Ronnyson

    Ronnyson Junior Member

    Hello Everyone,

    I'm hoping I am posting this in the correct forum - I'm new - is that an excuse??

    I am completely new to ww2 - so please be kind! I'm looking for information about Pte. Joseph Thomas Osborne. He was born in Bradley, Bilston in the West Midlands on 28/2/1919

    He was with (and I hope this is correct) 285 Field Park Regiment of The Royal Engineers.

    We think he obtained 4 medals - unfortunately these are not available to us at the moment.

    He survived the war - he passed away in the 1970's - R.I.P.

    We are trying to find out any additional info we can really. eg. the whereabouts of his Regiment, what they were up to etc. Also what medals he achieved etc etc - basically anything we can. Would his service record provide any more info that we have already?

    Any assistance or directions we should look in would be much appreciated.

    Regards,

    Paul
     
  2. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Welcome Paul and I hope someone can help.
    Don't worry about putting things in the wrong place as I'm always doing it.
    If you're new to WWII can I suggest that you don't dig too deeply as you may never get out of the interesting hole that is the Second World War.
     
  3. militarycross

    militarycross Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the Forum from Canada, Paul. Great bunch of folks here with a wide variety of interests and sense of humour.

    cheers,
    phil
     
  4. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ronnyson -
    If you were to look up the order of battle of the 53rd Welsh Division you will find that the 285 Field Park regt was part of that outfit which landed in France on the 22nd June 1944.

    That being so your Osborne friend would therefore be entitled to the 1938 / 45 Star - France and Germany Star - Defence Medal and the Victory medal.

    Cheers
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ronnyson
    PS - yes get his service record by all means as this will highlight his movements all through his army life and is well worth the 30 pounds - and the wait !
    Cheers
     
  6. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Hello Paul

    Welcome to the forum. A service record is the best way forward at the onset of researching wartime personnel, but one has to be the next of kin to apply. A full explanation of the procedure is provided on this link.....

    Service records - Army

    Wishing you luck

    Regards
    Peter
     
  7. Ronnyson

    Ronnyson Junior Member

    Many Thanks for the warm welcome everyone - was directed here by a member of Rootschat.com - who said what a great bunch you all are over here - I can see what he means now !!
    Some really great info. supplied by you all - it really is appreciated - off to order the service record!
    ps. sorry for the delay in replying - had to 'pop-out'
    Thanks again
    Paul
     
  8. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Ronnyson.
    Being an old Normandy Veteran Sapper.......NOTE ! Sapper "NOT private" There is a big difference.
    Let me explain, the Royal Engineer Set up. The infantry Division has three field Companies, they are the ones at the sharp end, ours was 17th, 246 (mine) and 253. The Field park company was the 15th.
    The Field park companies role was the supply base and the holder of the numerous gear that was needed by the Field Companies. MInes ammo petrol Sappers bridging etc The whole thing....

    So he would have been a "Gentleman of the Royal Engineers"

    Sapper
     
  9. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Hello and Welcome to the forum from Berlin.

    Brian, I thought all Royal Engineers were called " Gentleman of the Royal Engineers ".
    Was I wrong?

    Regards
    Tom
     
  10. Ronnyson

    Ronnyson Junior Member

    Sorry Sapper - I can't even spell 'engineer' - is there any hope for me....?
    In my defence I typed it all up last night and was unable to post it - anyone else have any trouble?

    Seriously though thanks for all the info. - Have been 'googling' 53rd Wesh Division...

    Interesting stuff indeed.

    Thanks again everyone

    Paul
     
  11. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Right Tom. All Sappers are "Gentlemen of the Royal Engineers" The title bestowed on us by King Charles??????
    Hope you keep well Tom mate.
    Sapper
     
  12. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ronnyson. I would point out that normally all Sappers are Craftsmen. The crafts involved cover a huge area of trades and crafts. From being a Goldsmith to being a Bulldozer driver. And believe me; Dozer drivers are highly skilled.

    You may also find the greatest number, it seems to me, of eccentrics and odd balls in their ranks. They also tended to get up to the most outrageous stunts when out of action. But "Once a Sapper, always a Sapper" I left back in 1944/5. I am still a Sapper.
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Ronnyson and welcome to the forum. Good luck with your research.

    Sapper what trade were you me old china?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  14. Wizard

    Wizard Junior Member

    Hello all! My mate, Ronnyson, has kindly started this thread for me,trying to find info on my dad, Joe Osborne. You have all kindly posted some interesting stuff already, thanks! As you can see I have now joined myself, all seems very friendly, and I am looking forward to speaking to you all on a regular basis, while trying to find out more about my "old man!"
     
  15. Wizard

    Wizard Junior Member

    As someone has already replied, Joe's regiment, Field Park 285,were in England from '39 to '44. When they went on to the D Day landings. But, I know he was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, and as a kid, I remember him telling me the name of the boat/ship that rescued him, The Daisy, if I remember correctly. So maybe he was transfered to the 285 after Dunkirk? Is this possiable?
    I have a photo of 285, all seated in tiers and chairs, dated May 30th 1944. Its 27 inches long by 11 inches deep. Joe is there three rows from the back, all of 25 years old! Can I somehow get the photo on here for you all to have a look at?
    Like Ronnyson, I am very new at all this, perhaps my lad of 19 can sort something out?

    Thanks for now, and I'll speak again soon.
    Cheers, Dave.
     
  16. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Drew.
    All my life as an engineer. Started as a fitter.Then on to all the machines in the M/c shop. radial arm drill, lathes, the lot !

    Tool room, jigs and fixtures...Jig borer. then pushed out into the workshop as a supervisor. Tried everything. Including programming the computer driven machines.
    Got the sack (internal politics) moved to the Atomic Energy Authority, Loved it..... Became supervisor.

    Then took the exams and tests for the Civil Service, Passed the selection board in Regent street. Became an established Civil Service Engineer.

    1972 Disaster struck... The war injuries caught up with me.......Nearly died. I was asked to retire by the War pensions people; they said " Time to put your feet up Brian.You have done your bit"
    Refused, went on for another two years....Disaster...This time, all the wheels fell off my wagon, and in 1979 I retired for good.

    I should have retired when asked to do so. The stubbornness in continuing to work enacted a terrible price.
    War pensions department looked after me very well. Just coming up to 84 still lively and alert...... Decided not to take part in the dying thingy...I am not enamoured with what they do to you after the event! So I am not going to have anything to do with it. I have been there once with a near death thingy...... The most beautiful experience "beyond description" Saint Peter has retained the wonderful white wings they had ready for me back in 1944.

    How about that says he; with a HUGE GRIN ON HIS FACE....

    I had many chances to go a lot further. CERN Swiss....Scotland for 2 years, with the promise of a senior head engineers rank. Plus a few others, turned them all down. Did what I wanted. I did miss the one post that I wanted "Astrophysics at Oxford" My bosses gave me a wonderful reference, only to find they had recruited within the existing staff...

    Its been great fun..Would I change anything? NO nothing. I had a wonderful life. Perhaps the two woundings may have helped matters had they not happened.
    Wonderful and eventful life........ Would change nothing. Its a long reply.. But men of my generation have been witness to the greatest upheaval, and gigantic changes in our own, and international society, this world has ever experienced. To have been a part of this was a privilege indeed. Even Bigger grin.....
    Sapper
     
  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Dave and welcome to the Forum...I'm sure I speak for many when I say I'd love to see the picture. At that size though you may have to take it to a photo shop for specialist equipment to scan it onto a disc for you. I'm sure your lad will be able to help :)

    Cheers Brian-was you a fitter in the Royal Engineers then?

    Reagrds all
    Andy
     
  18. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Surely was...
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nice one...Same as my Dad, he was a engineer in the Navy and became a fitter after he left :D

    Regards
    Andy
     
  20. Koko

    Koko Junior Member

    Hello all. I have had to change my log in details, but it is still Wizard speaking!

    Have since found some photos of Dad during WW2. I will post them on here ASAP. There is one photo of him and three of his mates taken after they had landed after D-DAY. One bloke was called Christy we think, another, a young fair haired lad is also on this photo, name of J.T.YOUNG. This lad was shot and killed shortly after the photo was taken. Dad and my brother went to France for the 40 year celebration in 1984 - a few short months before Dad died - and they found the grave of poor J.T.Young. My Dad found his mate after 40 years! I also have a photo of the grave too.
    Christy was killed by a "boobie trap" bomb, again shortly after the photo was taken.
    I also still have the large photo of Dads Field Park Company which I promised to put on here and never did. Sorry, I will now.
    So, if anyone is looking for J.T.Young I have a photo for you.
    Thanks again to all. Speak soon.
    Dave.
     

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